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< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment March 2020 Student of the Month Kodi Franks Royalton High School faculty and staff is pleased to announce that Kodi Franks has been selected as the March Student of the Month. Kodi emphasizes that his family has taught him that with hard work, anything is possible, and notes that a strong work ethic has been ingrained into him from an early age. His favorite class at RHS was Human Body Systems (HBS) with Ms. Gerads. He explains that there was always plenty to do, but it never felt like “homework.” He suggests any student interested in the medical field should take this class because it lays a lot of groundwork for the future. On the same note, he states that his favorite teacher is Ms. Gerads. He loved having her for the tail end of biology, ecology, and HBS. He writes, “She just had this way of connecting with students and having a laid back feel to the class. We always had work to do, but it never felt suffocating. I appreciate what she has taught me because I will use it in the future. I know whatever I accomplish in the future I have to give her some credit.” At RHS, Kodi was involved with football. He explains that he loves the game, but injuries forced him to step back and look at what’s important in life. During his short time on the team, he met some of his best friends. He is also involved in weight lifting. Kodi states that it has become one of the most important aspects of his life. He has gained more mentally than physically through lifting. The bar is indiscriminate. It doesn’t care who you are or what you do, it’s the same for everyone. His most memorable high school moment is hitting a 1,000 pound total in weightlifting. This is done by adding up your squat, deadlift, and bench weight amounts. He was unsure if he would be able to complete this goal, but he had a friend that kept pushing and cheering him on until he was successful. He explained, “I hit what I needed to and knocked another goal off the wall.” Randy Thielges, Royalton High School science teacher would like to add, “I admire a young man like Kodi; he's had some breaks (literally) go against him, but he finds a way to persevere and go forward.” Kodi will be attending North Dakota State University (NDSU) in the fall, majoring in Biology and minoring in Exercise Science or Business. He also plans on attending medical school. He chose this career path because he wants to help people, and notes that the medical field is one of the greatest ways to do that. He sees himself in residency and still taking lifting seriously. He wants to become a doctor and own a gym. Kodi writes that, “I love seeing people take charge and want to change aspects of their life they’re unhappy with. I want to help them achieve that. I also want to give back to my parents for everything they have done for me.” When it comes to advice for high school freshmen, Kodi mentions that he would tell a freshman “to do whatever he/she wants to do. If that means you anger some people and lose friends along the way, so be it. At the end of the day, there is only one person you can always depend on no matter what, and that’s yourself. You need to make sure YOU’RE happy not someone else. What everyone else says does not matter. As Kobe Bryant once said, ‘Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.’ Do what you enjoy, and life will be better.” To conclude, Carl Halverson, Royalton High School art teacher adds, “In my design class, Kodi worked on developing a website that involved his interests in athletic training and fitness. He works out continuously to keep himself in top physical condition. Many times, a student may have a desire to pursue a career field. When it comes down to doing whatever it takes to achieve his career goals, Kodi has been doing just that for many years. Anyone who has witnessed his work ethic, not only in the weight room, but also in the classroom, would find it hard to bet against him. I see him one day owning and operating a fitness related center, where he can assist others to become all that they can be, both mentally and physically. He has proven himself to many at Royalton High School.”

< 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 September 2022 Student of the Month Joseph Achen Royalton High School is proud to announce that Joseph Achen was selected as Student of the Month for September. Joseph is the son of Craig and Cindy. Joseph says his family has had a very big impact on his life, “Family is a huge part of my life especially since I have 10 siblings. Me, being the youngest of eleven has definitely come with downsides like being babied all the time. However, the advantages of being the youngest absolutely outweigh the disadvantages. These advantages include being able to learn from my older siblings and watch them make mistakes and grow. This has allowed me to not make those same mistakes myself. Furthermore, I know how to deal with situations and overcome obstacles in my life more efficiently because of them. My family is my support system. I know that if I have difficulties with anything, they will be there for me and offer me helpful advice. They have always encouraged me to work hard and to always do my best in everything I do. Anytime spent with my family is a good time and I will always cherish the slim moments that we can all share together. I would not be the person I am today without them.” Joseph is involved in a wide variety of activities in school. These activities include: FFA, basketball, BPA and Minnesota Honor Society. Joseph believes all of these activities have taught him a lot but especially FFA, “One thing that I have learned through all of these activities is the importance of being able to lead and work in a team. While I love being a part of all of these things, FFA is my favorite. FFA has shaped me into the person I am today. I have made so many friends, memories, relationships, connections, and skills that will propel me in my future plans. FFA allows me to be a leader and advocate in the agriculture community. I have held numerous leadership positions in FFA which include President of the Royalton Chapter, as well as Treasurer on the Region II officer team. FFA has taken me so many places that I could have never imagined. Moreover, FFA gives me the opportunity to use my role as a leader to be an advocate for agriculture. Since joining FFA, I can say that I am a much more confident, organized, and prepared person. Lastly, FFA has taken a shy kid and grown him to being able to have conversations with anybody and publicly speak in front of people.” When it comes to his classes Joseph says one of his favorite classes is Financial Accounting. “My favorite class is Financial Accounting taught by Ms. Burg. While I normally am not interested in these types of classes, I have made an exception to this class. I say this because in this class it is very open ended. We learn so much about all the background work that takes place in owning a business. This is my favorite class because we have very collaborative discussions where everyone is involved and asking questions. I walk out of this class, and my brain hurts because of all the new information I learn (which I enjoy).” As for a favorite teacher in high school Joseph really enjoyed Math teacher Mr. Silbernick and Agriculture Teacher Mr. Goldade. “My favorite teachers are Mr. Goldade and Mr. Silbernick. These two teachers are always there for me and are tremendously helpful in my high school experience. Mr. Goldade is my FFA advisor and Ag Teacher. He is one of my favorite teachers because he is always full of energy. Additionally, he hauls me to all my FFA events, which I love, and provides me with some of the best advice in and out of the classroom. Mr. Silbernick is truly great at his job. Whenever I walked into his class, I knew that I would learn something and thoroughly understand the content. Also, I could always have a conversation with him about anything school or outside of school related and feel comfortable talking with him. It was sad when I heard he was leaving.” As for activities Joseph is involved with outside of school, like at school there are many. Some of them that he is involved in 4-H, his church youth group, and the National Milking Shorthorn Junior Society (MSJS). “In 4-H, I exhibit dairy cattle and I am a head camp counselor during the summer. I love showing my Milking Shorthorns at the county/state fair, and numerous national shows. Additionally, being a camp counselor gives me the opportunity to work with kids and youth in my county. This is something that I really enjoy. Faith is a big part of my life. I enjoy being a part of the youth group because while we are focused on faith, we are also having so much fun at the same time. On Wednesday nights I look forward to spending time in this group and exploring my faith. Finally, I am the vice president of the MSJS. This is a society specifically revolving around the youth who have a passion for Milking Shorthorn Cattle. I enjoy being connected with the members of this society and hope to stay connected.” Joseph’s favorite memory in high school was at the State FFA Convention in St. Paul, “My favorite high school memory took place in St. Paul at the State FFA Convention. Here was where I participated in the Milk Quality event along with two other Royalton Teammates (Callie Vannurden & Alivia Pyka). At the convention I placed 2nd overall behind my own teammate, Alivia Pyka who took 1st place. Also, our team took 1st place overall and are advancing to nationals in Indianapolis, IN this October. This experience was so fulfilling. To see all our hard work, pay off was so satisfying and the feeling of being called first place is unexplainable. I am honored to have this experience and share it with my closest friends.” Along with his favorite memory in high school, Joseph also mentions how basketball has also stood out for him, “The best activity that I am involved in is basketball. I truly have a passion for this game that is unmatched to anything else in my life. When I am playing basketball, it seems like I am truly living in the moment and all the worries in my head go away for a brief time. Additionally, it helps me stay in shape and spend time with friends.” Next year Joseph plans on going to college, but has not decided yet where he will be going. He does hope to study Ag. Business and Ag. Communications, “I am interested in the Business side of agriculture and want to be able to understand the problems we face in agriculture and help farmers overcome these problems with modern solutions.” As for his future plans after college Joseph believes his career is going to be very important, “Honestly, I am very uncertain where I will be in 10 years. I hope to have found a career that interests me and be doing something that I love and want to do every day. This is extremely important to me because I fear being unhappy and not being excited every day to pursue my passions and aspirations.” Joseph’s advice for Freshmen was this. “My advice to Freshmen in High School would be to get involved. Try new things, find something you like and run with it! Jump in feet first and give your time to it. In doing this, you will stay busier which gives you less time to be stressed and feel anxiety about academics.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment March 2019 Student of the Month Samantha Skroch Samantha Skroch, daughter of Wendy and Thomas Skroch, has been named the March Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). She has three siblings; Kayla, AJ, and Lindsey. Skroch listed her favorite class as band. “Through my years of high school I have enjoyed many classes yet the one I will continuously love is band. Between Mr. Kunkle and Mr. Coppicus, my music has expanded more than I could have imagined and every day is a fun day in the band room. Thank you!” “Samantha is a very gifted Clarinet player in the Royalton Band Program,” said band teacher Chris Coppicus. “She leads her section by example and has taken on many duties as a leader. She is currently the Band Intern which has allowed her to build a strong relationship with the 5th grade band. Samantha has also been given the greatest honor of any band senior when she was awarded the John Philip Sousa Award at our Fine Arts Banquet that took place on Monday, April 22nd. She has bright future and I know music will continue to be a bright spot in her life for years to come.” Math teacher Zach Silbernick said, “Sam Skroch is an extremely trustworthy and kind student. Every time you see Sam she always has a smile on her face and asks you how your day is going. I don’t think I have ever seen Sam angry before. She always has a positive attitude and is ready to help out her friends, classmates, and teachers whenever they need it. Sam is an extremely hard worker; you never have to worry about Sam not giving it her all. She balances school along with work, and even when she is busiest, you can still depend on Sam. She is the kind of person to always do the right thing, even if she isn’t going to get credit for it. Her work ethic and humility to do what is right, even when no one is watching, are going to take her far in life!” Samantha’s future plans are to attend St. Cloud State University and major in music education. Her favorite high school memory was the thrill of receiving a superior rating in contest for the first time in four years of band. The advice she would give to freshmen is, “Never take anything for granted, enjoy the time you have with those you care about, it’ll all be gone in a few short years.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment November 2022 Student of the Month Connor Carlson Connor is the son of Dail and Shelly. Connor believes his family has played a big role in his life, “My family has taught me the importance of working hard in school and sports. I enjoy spending time with my family any way possible. Some of my favorite activities to do with them are kayaking, hiking, and biking. My older siblings are my main source of encouragement because they had excellent grades in high school, and have encouraged me to do the same.” Connor spends a lot of his time helping out and participating in Royalton athletics, “The sports I am in are football, basketball, and track. I enjoy these sports because I am able to work with my friends and teammates in order to achieve a goal. I am also in the YES club. I enjoy the YES club because we are able to work together as a club to better the environment. Another activity I am involved in is MHS. In the Minnesota Honors Society, we are able to help out the community. I gained useful skills such as time management by participating in these activities during high school. Outside of school I am involved in the youth basketball programs. I help out in both the summer and winter basketball camps. I enjoy helping out in the camps because it gives me an opportunity to work with the kids and get to know the community. By working at the camps, I was able to gain useful communication skills.” When it comes to his classes Connor says his favorite is physics, “My favorite class is physics. The students and the teacher are the reasons physics stands out from other classes. I suggest other students take physics because it has a good class atmosphere and the teacher makes lessons easy to understand.” As for a favorite teacher in high school Connor enjoys having Mr. Baumann as a teacher. “My favorite teacher at Royalton High School is Brad Baumann. He teaches in a way that makes learning fun and interesting. He also provides plenty of work time in class, so students do not get overwhelmed with homework.” Connor has a few memories that come to mind from his time at Royalton. One of them took place on a trip to Fort Ripley and the other was a class project, “My favorite high school memory is when the YES club went to Fort Ripley. Our club split into groups and competed against each other in their courage course. After the course, we toured around their facilities and looked at their armored vehicles and weapons. Then my favorite project during high school was installing a solar light on Royalton’s school sign. It is my favorite project because my classmate and I were co-leaders and were able to design the entire project ourselves. We even presented the project to the local lion’s club, so they would provide the funds to buy the solar light and solar panel.” After graduating high school Connor plans to attend a 4-year university, “Next year I plan on going to either UMD or NDSU to pursue a degree in engineering. I decided to become an engineer because I enjoy math and physics.” In ten years, Connor has this idea. “After finishing college, I plan on returning to the area, and getting a job as a mechanical or electrical engineer.” Connor’s advice to high school freshmen is, “Work hard in your classes and get your homework done as soon as possible. You also need to be able to balance school and social life.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2017 Student of the Month Brooklyn Pekarek Brooklyn Pekarek, daughter of Becky Piotrowski and Ben Pekarek, has been named the October Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). She is the oldest of five siblings, Brady, Chloe, Jace, Kenzie and Piper. Brooklyn’s favorite class is the PLTW Medical class taught by Mrs. Kelcie Neumann because they help me explore the health field and learn more about the human organs through hands on labs. Mrs. Neumann goes on to say Brooklyn was a huge part of the successful homecoming events this year. She went above and beyond when it came to planning, setting up, and facilitating the events. Her favorite teacher is Mr. Carl Halverson because he always helps motivate me to be the best person I can be and pushes me to achieve my goals in life. Mr. Halverson says "Brooklyn is our lead Senior Editor for this year's 2018 Royal yearbook. She leads our staff in her ability to construct new templates for different sections of our yearbook. Last year, I had the junior staff members show me their best sports page layout for example, and Brooklyn's design was by far the best. Her Yearbook Page Design skills are the best that I've seen since Kelsey Petron was a Senior Editor a few years back. And Kelsey stopped by to chat just last week and was excited to tell me about her new Graphic Design position that she was starting at The University of MN Crookston, where she will use her yearbook skills once again. Much like Kelsey was, Brooklyn is the most accountable senior staffer that we've got. She has started and is working on about a dozen different pages, which include the 2018 Senior section. She's this year's captain of our yearbook team, which is about to produce a book that will turn a lot of heads when it comes out in the spring. Thanks for your stellar efforts Brooklyn!" Brooklyn is involved with many activities, Volleyball, Softball, Wrestling Manager, JO Volleyball, Domeball, Yearbook, Student Council, Royal Pride. She plans on attending either The College of Saint Benedict or SCSU to pursue a career in Pediatric Nursing, hoping to work in the birthing unit at a hospital. Her favorite high school memory is in sophomore year Mr. Brent Lieser announced my name as Becca Pek-a-rek during softball line-ups and the whole team broke out laughing. Ever since then my name is Becca during softball season. If she had to give any advice to freshmen students it would be “don’t be afraid to get involved in activities and sports. It helps the time fly by and creates memories you will cherish forever”. Brooklyn sees herself having a steady career, getting married and starting a family.

< 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 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 February 2021 Student of the Month Jenna Kull Royalton High School is proud to announce that Jenna Kull was selected as Student of the Month for February. Jenna is the daughter of Lynn and Lyn and younger sister of Kendra. When it comes to family Jenna says the support she gets from them has been extremely important, “family has always been supportive of me. Ever since I remember, they have been with me encouraging me to do my best. I love going on trips with my family, big or small. Ever since I was little we would take family camping trips each year. I would look forward to these trips each year as each one brought time to grow closer and a new adventure. At Royalton High School, Jenna is involved in volleyball, Tech Club and the Minnesota Honor Society. Outside of school she participates in the Loyal Royals 4-H Club, Faith Lutheran Church youth group and is a St. Gabriel’s Hospital Junior Volunteer. Jenna believes her involvement in all these various activities has had a major impact on her, “I have gained good teamwork skills and strong friendships from volleyball. In Tech club I gain knowledge of new technologies and learned how to use them. While in Minnesota Honor Society I gain friendships while helping out our community. I enjoy being part of 4-H because it constantly provides great learning opportunities. Being involved in church youth group gives the opportunity to learn about God while connecting with friends. When volunteering at St. Gabriel’s Hospital my main job is to refill patients’ water and supplies while interacting with them. I have gained a lot from this and it even helped me decide my career.” When it comes to her classes Jenna says her favorite class was her Intro to Agriculture. For Jenna, it was a great experience that she enjoyed while learning, “This class stood out to me because we would always get involved with hands-on activities. I would recommend this class to others because it is really fun and you learn a lot from it.” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Jenna says Mr. Skwira really comes to mind, “One of my favorite teachers is Mr. Skwira. Mr. Skwira is always in a good mood and excited to teach. He is also fully invested in making sure his students have fun while learning to succeed in life.” Jenna’s favorite memory in high school was going to state for FFA, as Jenna put it “An event that stands out to me is going to state for FFA. The trip to the state FFA convention was a fun adventure and a good opportunity to bond with fellow FFA members.” Next year Jenna plans to attend North Dakota State University to major in Medical Laboratory Science. For Jenna, Medical Laboratory Science is a perfect fit, “I believe I have found my dream job. This career is perfect for me because laboratory science is always evolving and changing. Therefore, I will constantly be faced with new challenges to tackle.” Jenna’s advice to high school freshmen is short but sweet “get as involved in high school activities as you can and have lots of fun during the time that you have because it goes by fast.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment January 2022 Student of the Month Aaron Popp Royalton High School is proud to announce that Aaron Popp was selected as Student of the Month for January. Aaron is the son of Lawrence and Renee. Aaron believes his hard work ethic comes from his family, “I live on a farm, so at a young age I had to develop a hard work ethic. I watched my mother (Renee) and Father (Lawrence) work hard each and every day to run our family farm, so I knew I had to work as hard as they did if I wanted to succeed in life. My mother encouraged me to get good grades and do good throughout my entire school career. I grew up with two brothers and two sisters so I developed a competitive drive, in life. They taught me to always try to be the best at everything you do. I love to watch football on Sundays in the fall with my family. I love to play sports with my brothers during the summer. I love just spending quality time with each other.” When it comes to his classes Aaron says his favorite class was American History. “I loved learning about American history. I especially liked learning about the world wars. World War 2 was the thing I liked to learn about the most. I enjoyed learning about old military leaders, and the bravery and leadership they showed. As for a favorite teacher in high school Aaron says there are 3 that come to mind, “My favorite teachers are Mr. Snyder, Mr. Schaa, and Mrs. Gerads. Mr. Snyder taught my favorite class American History. Mr. Schaa taught me that if you work hard on things you will get rewarded for it. Mrs. Gerads helped me figure out that I want to pursue a career in the science field after high school. They all inspired me to do my absolute best in life.” Aaron’s favorite high school memory took place his junior year, “during my gym class in 11th grade, we were in our bike riding unit and behind the high school there is this big hill in the forest that is steep and hard to bike across unless you build up a lot of speed and momentum. So, my gym teacher went first and biked across the hill without breaking a sweat. I then watched a couple of my fellow classmates do the same, when it came to my turn, I built up a lot of speed and started to climb the hill, and then I got to the top and my chain fell off. I fell off the bike and landed on the ground. One of my friends was riding behind me and was building up speed to climb the hill, so they could not stop fast enough, and ended up running into me and flipped his bike. He went flying into the air. It was painful and funny at the same time.” The best activity Aaron says he was involved with was this past fall during homecoming, “The best event I was involved in had to be my senior year homecoming Olympics. This stands out because it was finally the year my grade won. For years I watched other grades beat us and think that they are the best, but this year was finally our time to prove we are the best grade and we were because we won. I watched my fellow classmates compete in games like musical chairs and a food eating contest. I got to participate in the annual tug of war competition which my grade did not win, but it was still really fun to be involved and to watch all of us come together and work together.” Next year Aaron plans on attending St. Cloud State University, where he will pursue a degree in nursing and plans to become a registered nurse and possibly a doctor. When asked what he believes his life will look like in 10 years this was Aaron’s response, “I see myself being a nurse in a hospital helping people with their medical issues. Hopefully living in a place warmer than Minnesota. I see myself watching my niece grow up and hopefully develop my intelligence.” When it comes to advice for high school freshmen Aaron had this to say, “don’t let yourself fall behind in your classes, if you put in the effort you will get rewarded, the better grades you get in HS, the more likely you are to succeed in the future, and lastly listen to your teachers even when you don’t want to, because they are there to help you.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment November 2023 Student of the Month Maimouna "Mouna" Toure From the tender years of childhood, Mouna has been shaped by the nurturing embrace of her family, “Growing up, my family was relatively small. For the first few years of my life, it was me, my mom, my little brother, and my dad. Over time, my family grew into what it is now. I have nine siblings, five awesome parents, and a niece on the way. Without my family being as big as it is, I would have never been able to experience the delight of sliding down mud piles with my brothers, watching movies with my sisters, and acting as the audience to my baby brother’s spiderman performances. Furthermore, nothing I have done would be possible without my mom in my corner. She has shown me strength during storms and love even when she only felt pain. She is my biggest supporter, and to her I say: “Love you forever.”” Within the walls of Royalton schools, Mouna discovered her fervor for creativity through Drama class, “Freshman year, I took a class called Drama Production. This class was without a doubt my favorite class because it allowed me to be creative and see what it is like to work behind the scenes in the theater. We did many projects that enriched our everyday skills as well. Between sewing, building various contraptions, and working with a group of people I normally wouldn’t have had classes with, Drama Production set me up for so much more than just getting my high school diploma.” The path to self-improvement was illuminated by several guiding lights—the remarkable teachers who left an indelible mark on Mouna’s heart and mind. “Most people don’t remember that one teacher that paved the path for them to be their best selves. Fortunately, I often see and think about the teachers who have made me a better student, worker, and person. In third grade, my teacher Mrs. Shelley Baumgartener showed me how to be a quick thinker and how to properly organize a messy room. She also was a joy to listen to and be around. I truly think she will forever have an impact on how I go about school, and I am thankful she was my teacher. In middle school, I had two teachers who I am blessed to see every day; Mrs. Schreifels and Mrs. Omvig. Mrs. Schreifels always has a smile on her face and will always be ready to compliment you. Even after several years of not having her as a teacher, she continues to ask how I’m doing. Not only this, but she knows when you are down and is always willing to stop in the middle of her day to make sure you’re okay. She taught me how to write creatively and have fun. I can honestly say that I don’t know what I am going to do without her. Mrs. Omvig was my science teacher and Student Council Advisor for a couple of years. During class she would always let me chat her ear off (after I finished my work) and she still lets me bother her with my life updates. She is my go-to person whenever I need something, and for that I am forever grateful.” Mr. Albright is my favorite high school teacher. Last year was his first year at the school, so I was nervous to have a new instructor. However, Mr. Albright was awesome to have as an educator. He is inviting and cares about how his students are doing academically and socially. Though he is no longer my teacher, I work with him as a manager of the Boys Basketball team; so, I still get to listen to his advice and have his support outside of the classroom. Working with him will be one of the most memorable parts of high school. Beyond academics, Mouna immersed herself in a myriad of activities, from Student Council to Speech, Drama, and Yearbook. Each engagement provided unique opportunities for growth, leadership, and the formation of lifelong connections. Drama, in particular, held a special place in her heart, igniting a passion for the arts that continues to burn brightly. However, their commitment to making a difference extended beyond school walls. Actively involved in her church's youth group and serving as the lead singer in the Youth Band, Mouna cherishes the moments when music becomes a conduit for emotional solace and connection, continuing the legacy of her late stepfather. Reflecting on her high school journey, Mouna reminisces about the unforgettable experience of attending the National Leadership Conference for Business Professionals of America in California. “Flying to California last year and attending the National Leadership Conference for Business Professionals of America is one of my most vivid memories from high school. Joining such a high performing activity as a Junior was an exhilarating experience. I remember thinking at the start of the year that I would join just for fun and to see how far I could go with it. Turns out the farthest you could go was the NLC in Anaheim, California. Hearing my name announced at State as one of two competitors advancing to NLC was unexpected but truly rewarding. Starting out the year nervous about even moving past Regions then meeting people from all over the nation in California, was nothing like I could have ever imagined. Spending the conference with a hodgepodge group of talented people was a bonus as well.” Yet, perhaps Mouna’s most impactful involvement was with the Royal Ambassador Program, where they found inspiration and humility in working alongside a determined peer, learning valuable lessons of perseverance and adaptability, “Last year, our school started the Royal Ambassador Program. This program was created to pair students who may need homework help or just someone to spend time with. I was paired with a student who whenever I meet with him, just blows me out of the water with his hard-working mentality. We usually meet to work on math homework (it is important to note that math is my least favorite subject), and he will find the solution to a problem ten times quicker than anyone I know. It is really cool to see him do so. I couldn’t imagine not working with him. He has taught me a lot about slowing down and seeing what is in front of you, and going out of your comfort zone to work with new people.” Looking ahead, Mouna is resolute in her ambition to pursue Forensic Science, fueled by a fascination nurtured in childhood and a desire to serve as a Crime Scene Investigator for the FBI, “Forensic Science is something I have wanted to make a career out of for a while now. Peeking out behind the recliner in the living room of our old apartment (after my little brother and I were tucked in and supposed to be sleeping), and sneakily watching shows like Criminal Minds, is one of the instances that inspired me to pursue a career in Forensics. I have not committed to a college yet, but I am certain wherever I go will be beneficial for my education.” When asked where she sees herself in ten years Mouna said this, “Down the line, I dream of working for the FBI. It is sort of a silly dream, but my ultimate goal is to work as one of the top Crime Scene Investigators in the country. This plan is important to me because it reminds me of what one of the figureheads from my childhood said, “Fairytales can come true. You gotta make 'em happen, it all depends on you.” Was this said by Princess Tiana, the best Disney Princess ever? Yes, but it is something that has remained at the forefront of my mind as I set my life goals.” As for advice for freshmen, Mouna had these words of wisdom, “Honesty, help, and hard work are the foundation of being successful. Hard work comes from learning, so it is important to hold yourself accountable and finish what you start. It is also crucial to be honest with yourself, and if at any point you are unsure of something, ask for help. Starting this your first year of high school is imperative because as a freshman you are forming how you create relationships, develop a healthy work ethic, and maintain study habits.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back March 2018 Artist of the Month Mercedes Vosen Mercedes Vosen, daughter of Chris Vosen and Melanie Capetz, has been named Royalton High School's March Artist of the Month. "I think I've taken just about every art class that I could have over the years," said Vosen. "But I never thought that I would have been named an artist of the month at our school. There are so many talented art students in our school." "I remember when I had my first art class in 7th grade. As soon as I entered the room, I knew that this was the place for me." she added. "Since then, I have taken photography, graphic design, sculpture, drawing, painting and a freelance art class that I am taking right now. It was in this class that I think that I created my best piece so far. This was a project that I made for my dad who has always pushed me to never give up. He says, "It's just mind over matter," which kind of is his way of saying that you can do anything that you want to if you just believe that you can. It also helps a lot to have a teacher like Halverson telling you how amazing the drawing was turning out, by pointing out the best parts of my drawing skills. Our family pet turned out the way it did because I was doing the drawing for my dad, and it was finished because a teacher believed that I was about to finish my best project ever." "If I had to choose an artist who works to their full potential out of this senior class, which is full of talented artists, it would be 'Cedes," stated RHS Visual Art Instructor Carl Halverson. "Every young person who enters my room has different talents and abilities. My job is to find out what that talent might be and then convince the student that they just need to believe that it's always been there, it's always been inside of them. I've been asked by many, how a school of our size could have so many talented artists, year after year. I can only answer that there are probably many students in schools all over the country who never have had anyone encourage them enough to bring what they've got inside, to it's full potential. 'Cedes Vosen is a perfect example of a student who has worked hard to become a success in the visual arts. Because she has done this, she will find it easier to believe that she can successfully transition into life's next chapter. Then, life just becomes a game of tag; you encourage those around you by believing in them. You help lift others up to find their strengths. Congratulations 'Cedes! You're 'It!"