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< Hall of Fame Kathleen (Justin) Schultz Class of 1970 Inducted May 2010 Schultz graduated from RHS in 1970, before there were any girls sports being played in Royalton. She was active in almost every other activity offered including drama, debate, band, choir, and cheerleading. Schultz was also a member of the National Honor Society and a delegate to Girls State in 1969. After high school she went to St. Cloud State to pursue a career in teaching. While at SCSU, women’s sports were beginning to emerge. Schultz was active in volleyball where SCSU captured the 1973 intercollegiate state tournament championship, badminton, basketball, and softball where she posted a .538 lifetime batting average. Kathleen played recreational softball for many years and has participated in national tournaments in Salt Lake City, UT, Duluth, MN and Savannah, GA. Kathleen has been a teacher in southern Minnesota since 1974 and has coached in the United South Central school district and in the Mankato area schools with a great deal of success. She was the Mankato Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2005-06. Schultz has been an official for the MSHSL State Volleyball Tournament for 8 years. Schultz is a member of the Mankato Softball Players Association Hall of Fame and a 1989 inductee to the St. Cloud State Athletic Hall of Fame. Schultz has two sons and a grandson and lives in North Mankato.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment November 2020 Student of the Month Samuel Zimmerman Royalton High School is proud to announce that Samuel Zimmerman was selected as Student of the Month for November. Samuel is the son of Doug and Karen and comes from a large family, but says even though its large, it is very close knit, “Having nine siblings creates plenty of opportunities to learn lessons I never thought I would learn. For example, when we would have to cut down trees for firewood, I would always despise going out to do the work, but my brothers taught me that complaining only prolonged the work, and if you just get the work done, you can go home faster. I still apply this lesson in school and life in order to just get things done, or as I like to say “procrastinate procrastination”. My brothers and sisters have always encouraged my passion for music, drama, and art. They were always in the audience for my many concerts, shows, and programs.” At Royalton High School, Sam is involved in many activities. He has been involved in Drama, Speech, Knowledge Bowl, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, One Act Play, FFA, Cross Country, Track & Field, Student Council, Choir, Minnesota Honor Society and directing the Junior High Drama . Sam says all of these activities has helped him learn so much about himself. “Sam is a phenomenal musician, both vocally and instrumentally! He is extremely dedicated to whatever he puts his mind to, whether it's music, theatre, school work or anything else!” – Cheri Ploof Royalton Choir Director. “Not only is Sam an excellent student but he is known in school for his fun-loving attitude and willingness to help whenever needed.”- Social Studies teacher Brad Baumann. When it comes to his classes Sam says his favorite class was Human Biology. “This class was the perfect mix between notes, projects, and experiments. This class sparked interest in a completely different field of study that I had never considered before. Ms. Gerads did a fantastic job of explaining what she was teaching and kept it fun! I enjoyed doing all of the projects and labs and this class made me want to learn. I highly recommend this class to anyone who has any interest in biology, or just wants to take a fun class.” As for a favorite teacher in high school Sam says it’s impossible to pick just one, “I have built a fantastic relationship with each one of my teachers so it is not possible to pick a favorite. I have had positive experiences with every teacher whether or not I was enrolled in their class. Positive motivation and encouragement from all the school staff have pushed me to do my best in whatever I'm doing, whether it be the arts, academics, or athletics.” Sam’s favorites memory in high school was being involved with the student conducted concert, “During the spring of 2020, the band was holding a student conducted concert and I chose to conduct the song Arabian Dances. The song was relatively difficult and I was definitely ready for the challenge. My favorite memory was the first day I stood on the podium and we ran the piece. It was intoxicating. I felt the music in a way I had never experienced before. I was handed this ability to control the song, to change the different instrumental sections to form this beautiful and electrifying piece and I never wanted to stop. This is my favorite memory because it clarified what I wanted to do for the rest of my life: I want to conduct; I want to teach music.” Next year Sam plans to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and is going to pursue a degree in Music Education in order to be a high school music teacher. In ten years, Sam hopes to be teaching high school students in music and would love to spread his joy and love for music to his students. Eventually he says he may want to teach at the college level. Sam’s advice to high school freshmen is, “My biggest piece of advice is to build a positive relationship with your teachers. Teachers are people too and like the other people in your life, friends or family, a positive relationship will give you the best experience possible. Believe it or not, teachers want you to succeed, to learn, to do your best, and having a positive personal relationship will only make school quite a bit better. I don't know where I would be if I wouldn’t have become friends with the majority of my teachers.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment May 2022 Student of the Month David Fountain Royalton High School is proud to announce that David Fountain was selected as Student of the Month for May. David is the son of Matthew and Jackie. David says his family has been a huge part of his life, “My family has played a big part in where I am today. From a young age my family has taught me that I have to work hard for what I want and that I need to have a strong work ethic. I’ve always been expected to try to be the best I can be and work towards what I want in life. My older siblings have always pushed me in life, and that doesn’t matter if we were fishing, playing baseball, or even comparing grades. If it weren't for my family's support I don't know if I would be as successful as I am today. Some things I enjoy doing with my family are going fishing, golfing, and camping with them.” David loves being outdoors especially hunting and fishing, “Outside of school activities I pretty much only hunt and fish. I enjoy hunting and fishing a lot because it's a good way for me to forget about everything else going on in my life and relax. Hunting and fishing give me reasons to be outside and enjoy nature.” If David is not on the lake fishing or hunting, he’s probably busy being involved with a bunch of high school activities and with is his favorite activity being Cross Country, “In school I participate in cross country, basketball, track, and I am in Minnesota Honors Society. I enjoy all of these activities because I get to hang out with friends competing in different sports, and being involved in the community. My favorite activity I was involved in during school was cross country. One of the main reasons it was my favorite activity was because it felt more like a family than a team. After every meet all the runners are walking around congratulating the other runners no matter if they took first place or last place, and it doesn't matter if they know the person or not.” When it comes to his classes David says his favorite class was his Get Wired class. “My favorite class was Get Wired with Mr. Skwira. The reason this was my favorite class was because it was a super fun class and you learn how to wire up an entire house. This class stood out from the other classes because it gives you real life experience of wiring up a circuit. The reason I suggest taking this class is because if you ever need to fix something like an outlet it gives you the skills to do so.” As for a favorite teacher in high school David enjoys having Mr. Silbernick as a teacher. “My favorite teacher is Mr. Silbernick because he is an amazing teacher. The reason he is because he is always willing to help no matter what you are doing. It doesn't matter if you are two weeks behind or are needing help before the test, he will always make time for you to get help. Mr. Silbernick always makes sure us students have time to work on our assignments during class which is a big help. Not only is he super helpful, he makes his lessons fun by adding jokes into the lesson.” David’s favorite memory from school involved one of his classmates, “My favorite memory was when Tyler Swenson stepped on the foot railing on Mrs. Mick’s van and he received a lunch detention for it.” After graduating David plans to head north to Duluth “I will be attending the University of Minnesota Duluth and pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and hopefully after graduation getting a career in aerospace engineering. The reason I chose to go into the engineering field is because I've always had a knack for math and I’ve always liked building things so my parents told me to look into engineering, and I felt that I would fit in perfectly.” In ten years, David has an ideal place to live, “In 10 years I see myself having a stable job in the engineering field, also having a house with my wife and hopefully starting a family. One of my life goals is to either own a house on a river, stream, or lake and have a good amount of land that I can hunt and fish on with my children. This is important to me because I've always dreamed of owning a house on a body of water, and that I'm able to give my children the same great experience my parents gave me by living so close to a body of water.” When asked to give advice to high school freshmen, here is what David had to say, “Always hold yourself accountable and to a high standard in school because it will build a great foundation and a great work ethic for your future self.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment February 2022 Student of the Month Kaylee Rudolph Royalton High School is proud to announce that Kaylee Rudolph was selected as Student of the Month for February. Kaylee is the daughter of Philip and Michele and has a freshman brother named Zackary. When it comes to family Kaylee says they have been her biggest supporters, “My family has always been my biggest supporter. They encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and try my best even if I'm not confident in myself. If they didn't push me to try new things I don't think that I would be the person I am today. They also inspire me to see the good in people even if others don't. Growing up on a family farm taught me persistence, if something doesn't work the first time keep trying. My dad also instilled in me that the amount of effort you put in is what you get back, so work harder than everyone else. One of my favorite things to do with my family is traveling. Every summer we take a road trip to a new place. So far with my family, I have visited 12 states, and one day I hope to have visited all 50.” Outside of school Kaylee volunteers at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Bowlus and has worked at the Little Falls Bakery and Deli. She also enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. At Royalton High School, Kaylee has been involved in a number of activities such as FFA, volleyball, Track and Cross-Country student manager, Jazz Band, Solo/Ensemble, Concert/Contest Band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council and Minnesota Honor Society. In regards to all these activities her is what Kaylee had to say, “In the variety of clubs that I am a part of I have learned many beneficial life skills including leadership, communication, and time management skills. Band is something that I'm passionate about, and has taught me commitment and responsibility. I am 1st chair in my section and play flute, piccolo, and I am learning how to play the alto saxophone. By being involved in sports I was able to build better relationships with my fellow classmates and see how hard work really does pay off.” When it comes to her classes Kaylee says her favorite class was Intro to Ag because of its hands on approach, “ One of my favorite parts of this class was we were able to design a fishing rod, build it, and take it home for a forever memory. I would encourage other students to take this class because it is a great class to try something new. Even if you are not extremely interested in ag classes I think that this one has something for everyone.” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Kaylee says Mr. Skwira and Mr. Coppicus stand out, “Mr. Skirwa and Mr. Coppicus are two of my favorite teachers and have helped me become the leader I am today. Both of them helped me step out of my comfort zone, and are part of the reason I decided to further my education in both their areas, Agriculture and Music. Skwira and Coppicus always made class time important by making sure I really understood what they were teaching.” Kaylee’s favorite memory in high school happened after track, as Kaylee put it “My favorite high school memory is after every track meet last year Erin, Zara, Grace, and I would go to Bills and get chocolate milk then meet back at the parking lot and talk. This memory stands out above all because last year was an exceptionally strange year and spending that time with my friends made me forget all that was going on in the world at the time.” Next year Kaylee plans to attend Southwest Minnesota State University to major in Agriculture Education with a minor in Music and in ten years Kaylee hopes to be doing the following, “In 10 years I hope to have a job as an Agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at a high school somewhere in Minnesota as well as be settled down and have started a family.” Kaylee’s advice to high school freshmen is short but sweet “These four years fly by fast so join all the activities you want, go to sporting events, don't be afraid to ask questions, and stand up for yourself, because before you know it, it will be your senior year.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2021 Student of the Month Emma Kasella Royalton High School is proud to announce that Emma Kasella was selected as Student of the Month for October. Emma is the daughter of Steve and Colleen. Through her success Emma says her family has had a large impact “My family has greatly influenced my work ethic and drive in school and in life. Growing up on a farm taught me discipline and hard work. I’m glad my parents encouraged me to help out picking eggs or walk the barn because that discipline has led me to the success I have today. I enjoy fishing and hunting or really anything outside and some of my favorite memories as a child were made out on the lake or adventuring outside with my brothers” At Royalton High School, Emma is involved in volleyball, managing wrestling, softball, student council, the Minnesota Honor Society and YES Club. Emma says being part of teams and groups is something she loves “I have a passion for the sports I’m in and love being a part of the teams. The other three clubs I’m in have bettered my leadership skills and helped me be involved in more community service.” When it comes to her classes Emma says her favorite class is Biology “My favorite class is biology because I have always had an interest in how the body works. Biology helped me discover that nursing really is the career I want to pursue” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Emma says Mr. Silbernick really comes to mind, “My favorite teacher is Mr. Silbernick because he teaches in a way that helps me understand and be successful in challenging math courses.” Emma’s favorite memory in high school was going to prom last year, as Emma put it “One of my favorite high school memories was going to prom last year because it seemed like we had one normal night in an incredibly strange year.” For her plans after high school and where she sees herself in 10 years, Emma had this to say “After high school, I plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing, but I am currently undecided on what school and in ten years, I hope to have a job as an RN in an oncology or pediatric setting. My whole life I have known I want to make an impact in the lives of others, and oncology and pediatrics are areas where I feel I personally could make the greatest impact.” Emma’s advice to high school freshmen is this “When it’s all said and done, you won’t remember every lecture; what you will cherish are the memories made with friends along the way. So, take in every moment, for people really do mean it when they say it flies by fast.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment January 2023 Student of the Month Sara Daleiden When it comes to family Sara believes her family has played a huge role in who she is, “My parents are my biggest role models because they taught me important values and support me in everything that I do. They have been with me for the many ups and downs I have had whether that be for school, sports, or life in general. My favorite things to do with them are horse camping, riding horses on the trails behind our house, four wheeling, and biking. Also, I feel like my two older siblings made an impact on me because they have shown me the ins and outs of life.” At Royalton High School, Sara is involved in many activities that have also helped shape her into the person that she has become, “at school including cross country, track and field, honor society, student council, YES club, FFA and FCA. Last year I was also a part of the Spanish club and prom committee. My favorite activity was cross country because my teammates were more like a family than just friends. Everyday there was always something someone would do to make it a great day. Running is also one of my favorite hobbies because it is a sport where you easily see improvement with practice. However, I feel like the student council has made the biggest impact since it helped me be a part of the school and community more. I really enjoy helping plan things for the school because when I was in middle school, I looked forward to those activities. The YES club helped me gain more information on environmental issues and improve our school which most high school students should be educated on. I joined FFA last year because I love chickens and my best friends wanted me to do it. I was happy to join, but it definitely was not my thing. In FCA, I get to socialize with other student-athletes who want to be more involved with their faith just like me. All these activities were a great experience and have helped shape me into the person I am today.” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Sara says there have been numerous teachers that come to mind, “Many teachers have had an impact on me throughout the years, but three of them really made school/school activities fun and those teachers are Mr. Hagman, Mr. Schaa, and Ms. Burgman. Mr. Hagman was my 5th grade long term sub in elementary school for most of the year. He was an excellent teacher and made 5th grade memorable. I thought it was so cool that he was my teacher and my brother's basketball coach! I would see him throughout the school in the following years, and he was always friendly and would say hi. Also, Mr. Schaa is a very fun teacher to have when you learn his sense of humor. His ‘dad jokes’ are one of the best things in his class because no one truly knows how to react to them, so there is an awkward laugh afterwards. He is an extremely smart teacher and is always pushing me to do my best. Sadly, Ms. Bergman left Royalton this school year, but she was always supportive with everything. She was my math and homeroom teacher, so I would see her more frequently than I would other teachers. She would help students whenever she could and help them to do their best. I know this is my last year here, but I wish Ms. Bergman was still here.” Sara’s favorite memory came this year with Ava Schoenrock “Ava and I were dissecting a frog because Ms. Gerads had extra from her 10th grade class. We were trying to take bugs out of the stomach and as we were peeling the stomach open, Ms. Gerads came up to observe just as our hands slipped. The stomach contents flew all over us! Luckily Ava and I had goggles and gowns on, but Ms. Gerads did not. The good part was that we did get the stomach open and there were lots of bugs inside.” As for next year and in the future Sara has these plans in mind “Next year I will be attending Winona State university and majoring in anesthesiology along with running track and cross country. Since I travel and help my stepdad with his veterinary business, I knew that I wanted to be in the medical field. At first, I contemplated being a surgeon or pediatric doctor, but I have had my heart set on being a nurse anesthetist for a few years now and in 10 years, I hope to have graduated from college and be working at a strategic hospital in southern Minnesota. I would eventually like to have 3-4 dogs and be living in a nice house in the country or shortly out of town. A trip to the Netherlands to see Anouk, Royalton’s exchange student, is also on the agenda.” Sara’s advice to high school freshmen was this “Take care of your physical and mental well-being. You're going to be exposed to so many new things, places, people and experiences that it'll be very easy to overstress yourself. Make sure to look after your health by going to bed early or at least before midnight. Also, join many clubs because not only do you make new friends, but it also looks better on college applications!”

< Hall of Fame Eric Albright Class of 1992 Inducted May 2014 Eric Albright, a 1992 graduate of Royalton High School, was highly involved in many aspects of student life. In the performing arts and activities he was a member of student council, involved in Letterman’s Club, the school newspaper, knowledge bowl, band, National Honor Society, drama and One Act Play. At the District 19 One-Act Play competition in 1992 Royalton earned its first District Championship and Eric was voted District 19 Outstanding Male Actor. Eric was also the valedictorian of his graduating class. Albright was also a Royalton four-sport athlete. He was four-year letter winner in football, basketball, and baseball. During his junior and senior years, he was letter winner in track-and-field and was a member of the Prairie Conference champion 4 x 1 relay team. For three years, Eric earned All-Conference honors in baseball and basketball and was voted Conference MVP in basketball his senior year. During Eric’s high school career along with a strong group of fellow athletes they were the nucleus of an era in which Royalton transitioned from second division programs to conference powers. As a result of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, Eric was a member of five conference championship teams. After graduation, Eric attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education in 1996. While at Hamline, he was a two-year captain of the university's baseball team leading the Piper pitching staff- in wins in 1995. After graduation Albright attended the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring and worked in the Gulf Coast League as a professional umpire during the 1997 baseball season. He was recruited, and strongly encouraged to continue his aspiring umpiring career, but he instead decided to pursue a future in education and coaching instead. Eric was hired as a Social Studies teacher in the fall of 1997 at Midland High School in Midland, Michigan. He continued his love of baseball as he joined the baseball coaching staff- the following spring. Coach Albright took over as the head baseball coach of the Midland High School Chemics team in 2003, and over the past ten years his Chemics have an overall record of 253-92 including three Saginaw Valley League titles in (2005, 2010, 2012), and one district championship in (2010). Saginaw Valley is considered the strongest high school baseball conference in all of Michigan. Since 2003, his teams with Eric at the helm have won at least 20 games in every season. Eric inspires athletes to play baseball beyond high school and as a result, seventeen of his Chemics have played college baseball, including five at the Division I level. He served as the varsity assistant coach on their 1998 state championship team and was the junior varsity baseball coach from 1999-2002. Eric has served as Athletic Director at Midland High School since 2010, and continues as the head baseball coach for the Chemics. He and his wife Monique, live in Midland, Michigan with their children, Josh, Maya and Carter.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment April 2022 Student of the Month Ingrid Popp Royalton High School is proud to announce that Ingrid Popp was selected as Student of the Month for April. Jenna is the daughter of Terry and Julie. When it comes to family Ingrid says they have been very important to her, “My family is very important to me and they have taught me many important lessons. My dad taught me never to give up even when I don’t think I could do something. My mom taught me to be goofy and to not care about what other people think. My sister gives me advice whenever I need it and has always been there for me. My brother taught me to be a kind, caring person because he looks up to me. One of my favorite things to do with my family is going out to eat because it’s rare that we do that. It’s hard to pull my dad away from the farm because you can’t just pull a farmer away from his cows.” At Royalton High School, Ingrid believes the biggest activity she has been involved with was band, “I think the biggest activity I was involved in was being in band from 5th grade all the way to 12th grade. Band taught me that working as a team is very important. Each person has their own part and each part is important. Even if you have a small part in something, what you do contribute adds to the bigger picture. I’m going to really miss band class.” When it comes to her classes Ingrid says her favorite class was her internship with a kindergarten class. This is what she had to say about her internship, “It’s so fascinating to watch kids grow and learn. I wish everybody could hang out with those kids. Each one is so funny, sweet, and unique. I’ll never forget the time I spent in Ms. Larson’s kindergarten class.” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Ingrid says she not only has a favorite teacher but also a favorite staff member, “Dawn Towle in the office is one of my favorite people in the whole school. She’s not a teacher, but she still makes me so happy and her kindness inspires me to be kind. I am always so happy to talk to her and see her in the high school office. Mrs. Schreifels is one of my favorite teachers because she was the first person outside of my family who made me feel like I had a future in writing. I always was nervous to write and show other people and her feedback gave me confidence.” Outside of school Ingrid spends a lot of time volunteering, “Over the summers I help out with VBS at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church in Rice. There is so much joy in singing and dancing about God with little kids. It’s cool to watch them learn about God. I also like to help out with Feed My Starving Children when our church does it. I like to contribute what I can to help people and make the world a better place. I also help at my family’s dairy farm because the farm is one of the places, I find the most peace and joy. I love being outside with the animals and helping my dad and uncle. Each day on the farm is a new adventure.” When asked what her favorite memory of school was this was Ingrid’s response, “In sixth grade, I participated in a game called Box of Lies in front of the whole school for Homecoming Olympics. Jhon was my partner for this activity and it was so much fun. I was so nervous lying to teachers because I thought they could see right through my lies. Somehow, Jhon & I beat all the other grades in this competition and we won. That moment when our grade started cheering for us in the stands was incredible.” Ingrid’s plans for her future are these, “After graduation, I plan to take a year off. I hope to work on the family’s dairy farm during that off year because the farm is my safe place and I love being outside. If I went to college, it would be to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education to become a kindergarten teacher because helping children is so much fun. Then in 10 years I hope I’m working with kindergarteners. I love little kids because each child is so unique and has so much potential. I would love to help and teach kids to be the best people they can be and have fun doing it. I would love to be a part of their journey to success. It’s such a big accomplishment to see kids retain information that you taught them and know they will use what you taught for the rest of their lives. In between teaching children, it has always been my dream to write a book. Maybe I’ll write one, one day. Who knows!!” Ingrid’s advice to high school freshmen was this “It’s so cliche but truly don’t worry about what others think. Their opinion doesn’t matter. If you didn’t do something because other people told you it’s weird or if you wear something and other people make fun of you, that doesn’t show your character, it shows theirs. Please don’t worry about what others think.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back February 2019 Artist of the Month Alexandra Storkamp Alexandra Storkamp, daughter of Lisa and Scott Storkamp was named Royalton High School's February Artist of the Month. Alex has two older sister's who graduated from Royalton who also enjoyed art. Finally reaching her Senior year, Storkamp worked hard to earn the achievement due to her passion for the subject. ​ "I felt like I had always been competing with my sister's over who was better in certain areas of art. Once I reached high school I made sure to always have an art class because there was nothing I enjoyed more. The competition didn't really matter to me." said Storkamp. "Growing as an artist has been difficult because the subjects I chose were usually fairly creepy and dark. Recently I have started to incorporate color into my art opposed to doing charcoal or graphite works, and I find that I actually enjoy it much more!" ​ Surrealism is a 20th-century movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. Surrealism became the most influential movement in twentieth century art with one of it's leaders, Salvador Dali, being one of the most famous. "I chose to study Surrealism because the style fits me so well. I admit, Dali was a little bit crazy," said Storkamp, "But I chose him as an artist because I aspire to be different, and accepted for being different. Art is what makes me who I am. Mr. Halverson always pushes kids to challenge themselves as artists, and just to be proud of who they are. Before my he passed, my Dad always told me, that if I truly loved something, I should prove it. I should do this by staying true to myself, my beliefs, and be known for it. I am leaving behind art work at Royalton High School because it shows who I was as a student, and where i am going in my future." ​ "Alexandra has been one of the hardest working students I've seen in many years," stated Visual Arts Instructor Carl Halverson. "She's 2019's best visual artist not just because she has worked so hard to earn it, but because she is confident to break her own path in life. These days of electronic visual communication, many students get caught up in the drama of trying to be someone who they really aren't in hopes of attaining followers or get a high number of "likes". Some may continue to spend more time following others on social media than finding their own path in which they could actually lead. The Art room is a place in this school where being yourself is not just some words painted on a wall as you enter the room. It's a place where we celebrate student's artistic gifts without all of the drama included. There's no reason to post it, or count any thumbs up icons. It is who they are as a person that is so much more important than that. I've had a star athletes figure this out their senior year. They actually walked up and told me that they finally realize that they are so much more than just a high school athlete. They probably won't be at the local pub at their ten year reunion, talking about high school games that happened a decade ago. Hopefully, a high school game won't be even in the consideration to be "the best day of their life." Instead, they will have discovered and experienced so many awesome things since then, that they will might be a bit bored with those who are still stuck in the Glory Days that have passed them by. I'm amazed and impressed with Alexandra's journey and growth, not just an artist, but as a person. I will continue cheering for her as she continues to move forward, and hopefully find and experience all of the new and exciting adventures that life has to offer. These are the moments that are almost too good to post....."

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment December 2021 Student of the Month Erin Borash Royalton High School is proud to announce that Erin Borash was selected as Student of the Month for December. Erin is the daughter of Ronald and Ann. When it comes to family Erin says the support she gets from them has been extremely important, “My family has been extremely supportive of me and I really can’t thank them enough. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work. I am thankful for the experience farm life has given me, and know that the responsibilities have given me a stronger work ethic. However, the most important lesson my family has taught me is to trust in God. While this path is often unclear and confusing, I feel blessed to have my parents and 7 older siblings to watch as examples. My family pushes me to give my best effort in everything I do, whether during a race, on a school project, or just in everyday life.” At Royalton High School, Erin is involved in many activities, she participates in Cross Country where she was a state qualifier, Track and Field, student council, Minnesota Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, YES/Tech Club, Jazz Band and FFA. Erin believes all these activities plays a large role in her ability to meet people and make friends, “I would highly encourage all students to join a club or sport, they are a great way to get more involved in the school community and meet new people. I have gained amazing friendships through these activities over the years. Outside of school Erin spends time working on the family farm along with being an active member in the Holy Cross Catholic Church of North Prairie. There she is a member of the choir, a Religious Education teacher and a member of the Guardian Angels Youth Group. Erin is also a member of the Two Rivers Trailblazer 4H Club, she has shown just about every class of animal including chickens, ducks, geese, sheep and cows. Erin believes these activities have had a large impact on her life, “the Catholic faith is a fundamental aspect of my life and 4H has pushed me to become more involved in my community and to try new things.” When it comes to her classes Erin says her favorite class was the college writing Composition I & II. “I liked the challenge and work the class provided. It was satisfying to see myself improve over the course of the year as a writer. I would recommend this class to anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort this class demands. Many of the skills and concepts I have grasped from Composition can also apply to other classes and areas outside of school” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Erin says other than Comp I and II, chemistry was another favorite class and that was because of Mr. Thielges. “Chemistry was a close second to Composition, largely due to the teacher Mr. Thielges. He is a very knowledgeable teacher and makes his classes interesting. He pushed me to be a better student and challenged me with his classes. Mr. Thielges is a kind teacher, and I have great respect for him. When needed, he would also take time to help explain math homework that I or other students struggled with.” Erin’s favorite memory in high school was during the Cross-Country season at a meet in Holdingford, “My favorite high school memory was at the Holdingford cross country meet this past season which happened to fall on my birthday. While I was warming up for the race, my teammates rallied up all the other teams at the starting line and they all sang to me. Though it was a little embarrassing at first, it was a really special moment.” As for her favorite or best activity that she has been involved in, Erin again looks at Cross Country, “Being a part of the cross-country team for the past 7 years has been an experience I will look back on well after graduating. The sport has strengthened me mentally and physically, and I appreciate the challenge of it. My teammates and coaches likewise contributed to making my cross-country experience memorable. They were a very encouraging and energetic team and I will definitely miss my time there.” Next year Erin knows she is going to school, she’s just not 100% sure where yet, “I have not settled on a college yet, but am interested in pursuing a degree in animal science. Hopefully, I will also run cross country wherever I decide to go.” As to where she sees herself in 10 years, she has a couple ideas “I have agreed to become a live-in babysitter for my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law’s future children. However, on the off chance that that doesn't work out, in 10 years I hope to be happily married and start a family of my own, on a small farm.” When it comes to advice she would give to high school freshmen, this is what Erin had to say, “With all the craziness transpiring in the world these past couple of years, it can be easy to sit back and hit cruise. Do not let this happen. Your school days will be over before you know it, so do not be afraid to try new things and give your best effort. If you do this, in the end, you will look back at your school days comforted that you made the most out of the time given.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment April 2021 Student of the Month Brady Brezinka Royalton High School is proud to announce that Brady Brezinka was selected as Student of the Month for April. Brady is the son of Jason and Michelle and older brother of Ashton, Bryson and Cylie. Brady says his family has been a huge part of his life especially in the current times, “ My family has been amazing for being there for me throughout this odd year we are having. I enjoy doing a lot with my family like going up north to our hunting land or seeing the extended family at sport events means a lot to me, and even just the rides home from practices mean a lot with me and the siblings.” Brady loves being outdoors especially fishing, even though he says it can get a little expensive, “Fishing is probably my favorite hobby but it is also very expensive when I buy what I want and need for the season. Just getting on the water before the sun comes up and seeing the sun rise is about as good as it gets.” If Brady is not on the lake fishing you’ll probably find him playing sports. He plays basketball and was a member of the Royalton Varsity Basketball Team this winter, which he said was an interesting experience this year, “Basketball was a big eye opener because you never knew what was going to happen with COVID. I told myself before I played every game that this could be my last game, so I played like it was.” While Brady enjoys playing basketball his first love is baseball, “When people ask me what I like better; basketball or baseball, it’s always baseball. My baseball career started around the age of 10 when I player 10U traveling baseball.” Brady is currently the starting center fielder for the Royals varsity team and has been in that position since he was a freshman. Brady says this year is really special for him in terms of baseball, “Last year we had 8 guys that played together since 10U and unfortunately we didn't have a chance to show what we had because the season was cancelled. This year we have 6 seniors that have played an unbelievable amount of baseball together over the last 8 years and that is what makes it special to me the most.” When it comes to his classes Brady says his favorite classes are shop classes. “Shop classes are hands on and I love making stuff by hand or making something out of nothing. I suggest students to take shop classes. If you have an open class and you do not know what to take, take a shop class.” As for a favorite teacher in high school Brady enjoys having Mr. Skwira as a teacher. “Mr. Skwira is an amazing person and no matter how bad of a day you are having he will always say “good morning” or “have a great rest of your day”. He taught the classes that I loved, like welding, get wired, small engines, and manufacturing. He is a great role model to look at because he cares about other people more than himself and that stands out to me.” Brady has a few favorite memories from school, “I would have to say my favorite class memory is when I got pulled over by the police in front of the school and everyone could see me through the windows and when I walked into the school everyone started clapping.” He also enjoyed the different Homecoming events and competitions before COVID, “I really enjoyed all the homecoming events that we played up until COVID. I liked those days because it was always competitive and the best part is that we never lost to the class above us playing tug of war.” After graduating Brady plans to enter the work force starting this summer at McDowell, “I will be working at McDowell doing HVAC this summer, I worked for my mom's cousin the last two summers and I knew I could always go back because he needed help all the time, he paid very well but I knew I needed to get into the union because dad preaches to me about how good of benefits they get and I see what I will be making in 5 years at McDowell and it’s unbelievable” In ten years, Brady sees himself doing a number of things, “in 10 years I see myself starting a family along with settling into a home where I plan to live until I die. I want this place to be out in the countryside, with a little bit of land and plenty of storage for my boats, snowmobiles, four wheelers and all the other dad stuff I will have especially in the garage where I park my vehicles.” Brady’s advice to high school freshmen is, “Don’t ever say “I can’t wait to graduate” I remember saying that my freshmen year and now I look back and wish I could do it all over again because it was fun! Another thing I would say is get involved in activities and do things so you make it worthwhile, while you’re in your school years.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back March 2020 Artist of the Month Madison Gutzkow Madison Gutzkow has been named Royalton High School's March Artist of the Month. She is the daughter of Mary and Bill Gutzkow and also the Class of 2020's Co-Valedictorian. Gutzkow has excelled in academics for years, but with the level of competition that Royalton High School's Visual Arts Program has displayed over the years, she didn't figure on excelling in the visual arts as well. It wasn't until she "received" the message that high school Visual Art Instructor Carl Halverson had been teaching for many years, that she became passionate about her painting of the "Brain" became a "passion". The effort then increased because she understood the personal reason why this project needed to be completed. "Ever since I was young, I’ve noticed my older siblings bringing home their amazing artwork from Mr. Halverson’s class," said Gutzkow. "My dad also spends most of his free time doing silly little doodles on scrap pieces of paper. Seeing all of this at a young age, I developed a passion for all forms of art and creative expression, which has only grown stronger. Especially in the last year or so, I have surrounded myself with friends from all over who excel in various art fields and have really helped to deepen my appreciation and knowledge of art and the different careers possible. I love to paint and draw, and the act itself is an escape from everyday anxieties and stressors from school. I started drawing at a young age before moving on to primarily painting, but drawing still holds a special place in my heart and I try to continue developing my skills. Personally, I think art is just as, if not more, important than academics in some ways. There is so much to learn about the world and yourself in artwork, all you have to do is search for the meaning. My plan for the future is to someday open a bookstore where I can combine my love for learning with my passion for the arts by holding art galleries for local artists and hosting live local music since I believe supporting the artists around you is one of the most important things one can do. I set out to combine these two loves when I started the painting of a brain in the 9th grade. Mr. Halverson always encouraged us to put pieces of ourselves into our work, which is part of what makes our art program so great. Instead of painting something random, give the art a deeper meaning. I chose to paint a brain because I felt it represented my academic side well and at the time I was interested in biology. When I didn’t finish the painting during that class, I thought that was it. I tried to pick it up a few times in the 10th grade but I never made much progress. In 2018, my sister Alisha unexpectedly suffered a stroke and the brain painting became a passion project for her. It took 2 more years of on and off painting, and over 100 hours of work before I finally finished the piece this year. I credit Mr. Halverson for making the art room a comfortable place to be myself and refine my skills as an artist. Without his amazing life lessons and insights, I would be nowhere near the person I am today." Royalton High School Art Instructor Carl Halverson said that usually, artists of the month recipients don't give him enough information to write their article. But this time, it was different. When he read the words that came from this artist, he just sat back and was humbled by the fact that "this young lady really received the message." He then just copied and pasted it exactly how she sent it above. "For years I have tried to teach kids that until their artwork becomes personal, extremely important, and a passion, that they may never finish their project at all," stated Halverson. "Every teacher hopes to teach a student to really understand this principle. Teachers teach their subject matter in such a way that it becomes a personal expression of why they chose to teach English, Science or yes, I'll say it, even Math! I am passionate about teaching Art not because I love the subject matter. I love seeing their eyes light up when I tell a kid that his Grandpa sitting on his red or green tractor, is more important than just some paint, technically applied to a canvas. You can try to express this idea in your classroom a million times it seems. In this case, Madison not only heard it, she received it. After years, her painting of a brain, sat quietly, undisturbed, and gathered dust. Then came the reason that over one hundred hours of effort was then meticulously invested to complete the painting. Her sister Alisha suffering a stroke took Madison's painting of a brain from showing her "interest in biology," to the level of "this painting is a representation of the love that I feel for my sister and her struggle to live." The painting literally went from her head, (brain), to her heart. It became a passionate, personal, heartfelt statement. "The many letters, notes, and statements like the one above that I have received over the years are proof that some of these kids feel the same way that I do about things that are truly important. You gotta' have heART."