Search Results

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

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment 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 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.”

< Hall of Fame Kenneth McGonagle Class of 1948 Inducted May 2010 Ken McGonagle is a 1948 graduate of Royalton High School. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1952, completed his master’s degree in education at the University of Illinois in 1958, and fulfilled his doctorate at the University of Indiana in 1970. McGonagle lettered as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Gophers in 1952 and 1953. He also was a two-year letterwinner for the Gophers Basketball team in 1950 and 1951. McGonagle played for the state champion Little Falls Red Sox while also playing minor league baseball for the Duluth Dukes from 1952-1954. During this time, McGonagle was signed by the Cincinnati Reds organization. After his collegiate days were over, McGonagle became a teacher and coach and worked in Texas and Illinois. As a coach, he won a Texas state basketball championship at St. John’s Private School. After moving to Evanston, Illinois, McGonagle began coaching baseball and soccer, where he won 11 league championships in baseball as well as 10 league championships and 4 state championships in soccer. He was the Baseball Man of the Year in Illinois in 1963. McGonagle is a member of both the Illinois High School Baseball and Soccer Coaches Hall of Fames. McGonagle and his wife Cele now live near Cushing, but spend their winters in much warmer Tucson, Arizona.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back November 2017 Artist of the Month Jason Kasella Jason Kasella, son of Rob and Amy Kasella of Morrill, has earned the honor of Royalton High School's November Artist of the Month. Kasella, used one of his favorite hobbies, bowhunting, as inspiration to create his freehand, graphite drawing. "This Fall I took a trip to New Mexico to go bow hunting Elk with my dad, and his good buddy 'Bones', (my second dad)." stated Kasella. " Although it meant missing a week of football, I didn't second guess this trip. Everything, from the scenery to the number of elk we saw, stuck with me long after the trip ended. I actually passed up a nice five by five, in hopes of getting a shot at a monster elk that I saw, like the one that I drew in this picture." "I haven't seen Jason in an art class for a while," stated Royalton High School's art instructor, Carl Halverson. "It doesn't matter how long it's been though because he's got that "I'm in it to win it" attitude and work ethic. This same mind set that propels him as an athlete all the way to the State Wrestling Tourney, is mirrored in this pencil drawing. I've seen so many students who seem to be lost as they search for a direction to go after they graduate from high school. They seem fearful and confused by the number of people who constantly try to steer them towards an unknown goal in life. Then, there is this Kasella kid. He doesn't seem to be confused or afraid of anything because he is confident that he will simply outwork the competition. He's got that "farm boy work ethic" mixed with a quiet confidence that almost guarantees him success in whatever, or wherever his future may lead. Add to this, a quick-witted sense of humor, and life in the future looks as bright and exciting as his hunting trip with his two, three or even four dads who happen to be tagging along....." "Halverson has been teaching for thirty-some years. He still has the rare ability to push us to relate to our projects so that we are more motivated to work," added Kasella. "He is a "darn' good" teacher and makes his class very enjoyable, and my favorite of the day."

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment November 2018 Student of the Month Gavin Suska Gavin Suska, son of Mark and Jessica Suska, has been named the November Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). Gavin has a younger brother Grayson, who is a sophomore at Royalton. Suska’s favorite teacher was former social studies teacher Kelley Newell. “She involved students in class well, and related topics to real life examples. She also created very interactive projects that kept students intrigued in the subject,” Suska said of Newell. English teacher Sherri Menden said, “Gavin's work ethic stands as one of his strongest traits. He is never one to give up, and he asks questions when he needs clarification or help. Gavin is respectful of all students and willing to help out anyone who needs it, the struggling as well as the talented. He knows how to help in ways that make students understand what needs to be done. Above all, Gavin is kind.” Science teacher and head boys basketball coach Randy Thielges added, “Gavin has been an outstanding student/athlete. He is a leader both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Gavin makes the people around him better.” Suska is involved in many activities in school including, football, basketball, baseball, Business Professionals of America, and Student Council. Gavin’s favorite memory from high school is winning the Morrison County “milk jug” this past year in football. Future plans for Suska are to attend Concordia college to pursue a career in accounting. Gavin’s advice to freshmen is, “Take high school one year at a time and be involved in as many activities as you can.”

< Hall of Fame Duane Bobick Class of 1968 Inducted May 2010 Duane Bobick is a 1968 graduate of Royalton High School where he excelled in three sports. Ironically, it was a sport that he did not play as a high school student that brought him worldwide fame, boxing. Bobick was a boxer who became the World Amateur Heavyweight Champion in 1971, and also won the gold medal at the 1971 Pan American Games. He fought for the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. Bobick had an outstanding amateur career that included a win over Cuba's famous Teófilo Stevenson at the 1971 Pan American Games. Bobick took down another future champion when he defeated Larry Holmes to be named to the 1972 U.S. Olympic boxing team. Bobick trained with and was managed by heavyweight legend Joe Frazier. He had a tentative contract with Muhammed Ali in 1976, but the fight never materialized. He took a 38-0 record with 32 KO's into the ring against powerful Ken Norton, who was later the heavyweight champion, but lost the bout. Bobick’s pro record was 48-4 with 42 KOs with wins over several notable contenders. Bobick returned to Minnesota and worked in heavy equipment work before a machine accident nearly killed him in 1997. After that he went into coaching and public speaking, using his celebrity to encourage and help others. Bobick was a 1997 Acts of Kindness: Governor's Volunteer Award Winner for his service as a volunteer which included school, church and hospital volunteer work. In November 2006, Bobick was elected as a city councilman in Little Falls. Duane has been married to his wife Debi for over 20 years, they have two daughters.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment December 2019 Student of the Month Christopher Borash Royalton High School announces that Christopher Borash has been selected as the December Student of the Month. Chris, the son of Ron and Ann Borash, has numerous role models at home, his siblings and parents. While growing up on a farm, these role models taught Chris that life requires hard work, and all work requires that he apply the best of his ability. His parents also instilled him with a great sense of respect for everyone and everything. With his family, Chris enjoys hunting, and playing hockey games. The encouragement and support from Chris’s family and siblings extends beyond competitive activities - they also spend time discussing classes, playing guitar, and praying as well as sharing goals they have for the future. In all cases, Chris is grateful that his family. One of Chris’s teachers, Jeremy Schaa, Social Studies teacher states, “Chris is one of the most involved students we have here at RHS. Whether in the classroom, the course/track/mat, the stage or the knowledge bowl room, Chris is a leader who can quietly get others to follow him. Chris will no doubt go out in this world and be successful and represent Royalton in a very positive way.” This positive leader shows his work ethic in his choice of favorite classes. Chris notes that he has enjoyed both Composition I with Mr. Makela and Chemistry with Mr. Thielges. Both classes provide students with a chance to prove themselves and dive into a deeper understanding of science and English. The instructors of these classes are also Chris’s favorite teachers. He recalls many days in which he would ask Mr. Thielges to explain a certain math concept for College Algebra, or look to Mr. Makela for guidance in other classes. They are both extremely kind and caring teachers provided you are willing to work, and Chris has great respect for them. Chris accepts the challenge of hard work at home as well as at school. Chris is also involved in many activities: cross country, wrestling, track & field, Y.E.S. Club, FFA, knowledge bowl, student council, and various play productions. While each extra-curricular activity offers its own unique challenges, overall, he the groups have taught him to be a leader and to work with others. More specifically he has had the opportunity to make a difference for the environment in our area as well as expanding his knowledge in agricultural related areas. When talking about his most influential high school activity, Chris explains that cross country has guided him in character growth, and that he has fallen in love with the challenge, self-motivation, and retrospection required to do well in the sport. Being part of this team over the last seven years has been one of the best experiences of Chris’s high school career. Michael Marschel, cross country coach, emphasizes, “Christopher Borash is a hard-working kid. Most people don't realize that he has been up and doing chores well before any of us are out of bed, EVERY DAY. He is a testament that if you work hard you will get results. As a natural leader, Christopher has lead our Cross Country and Track & Field teams will grace and humility over the last six years. He will surely be missed next season.” Terry Gorecki, head wrestling coach, notes that Chris is a one-of-a-kind student-athlete. He has been a great role model for all wrestlers on and off the mat. He is "new" to the sport and has earned the role of being a captain to represent his teammates.” Outside of school, Chris is active in the Guardian Angels Youth Group which has helped him grow strong in his Catholic faith and provided a great deal of fun and exciting times. Two-River Trailblazers 4-H club has been a part of Chris’s life since kindergarten and he has participated in poultry and sheep showing, performing arts, and shooting sports. He has competed at both state and national levels. Chris plans to attend college for a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Biology or Criminal Justice. His top choice for college is Saint Mary’s University in Winona because, three of his brothers went there, he has spent a lot of time on campus, and he has already met numerous faculty members and staff. His advice for younger students would be to try everything. “Do not be afraid to step out and lead, because it may take you to new heights and grant you friends and experience you never dreamed of.” He would also say that it is important to give your best effort in all that you do, because in retrospect, you will have no regrets. You may wish things could be different, but having the knowledge that you did all you could to influence situations gives you a sense of comfort in the end.

< 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 2024 Student of the Month Lane Olson Lane is the son of Brian and Greta. Family has been a cornerstone in shaping Lane’s perspective. “My family has influenced me to stay focused on the future. Schooling opens many opportunities for possible careers, and what I do today further benefits my future. I enjoy quality time at home over the holidays with my family when everybody makes the trip home. As my older siblings pursue their careers, I learn to grasp their advice. By taking hold and exploring different suggestions, I have developed a greater idea for my future.” Among the many classes taken, biology stands out as Lane’s favorite. "My favorite class so far was biology class. The forward thinking along with hands-on activity such as dissections and mannequin assemblies always made for memorable classes. Because of the memorable classes, the learning material stuck with me. Learning about body anatomy and physiology continues to lead my daily life. I believe students looking for a class to further pursue learning from tenth grade biology should take advantage of the higher-level course as a junior or senior.” Teachers often leave a profound impact, and Ms. Menden, an English teacher at Royalton High School, has done just that according to Lane. “My favorite teacher is Ms. Menden. Every morning before school, she greets me as she makes her way to her classroom. English with Ms. Menden always challenges students’ reading and writing skills. Through her classes, I learned the importance of brainstorming and prewriting for an essay. She also makes time for the students before, during, and after school. As a senior, essays and recommendation letters for colleges need to possess top level skills. I can always count on her to both assist in editing my essays and writing a letter of recommendation. Thank you for all you do!” Lane’s school life is filled with numerous enriching activities, “Cross Country, I enjoy running with friends and enjoying the weather. I learned a lot about dedication to others from coach Marschel. Wrestling, my favorite sport, teaches me lessons every day. Dedication, accountability, responsibility, and determination are a few great values I learned from wrestling. Track, Track acts as a great wrap-up sport for the school year. As a distance runner, I work out and run with friends every day. The lower pace days provide for a conversation time. The support of all teammates and families drives many athletes to achieve better results. YES! Club, as a member of the YES! Club, I learn about the importance of conserving our environment, especially our resources. FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes provides another morning in the week for me to connect with God. Every Friday morning, a group of students and advisors gather to read the Bible while enjoying donuts and hanging out. MHS, Minnesota Honors Society provides me with incentive to get out in the community and represent Royalton students by volunteering. Royal Ambassador Program, which a mentorship program that allows me to meet and help our younger students at RHS.” Outside of school Lane stays very busy, “Throughout the spring, summer, and fall I run my own lawn mowing contracts. The mowing provides me thinking time while also teaching me the challenges of keeping the lines straight. I also work as a warehouse associate in the summer. I learned the importance of a good work environment, whether the atmosphere or team member traits, greatly influences the success of a company and the workers. As a three-sport athlete, I developed a sense of importance for working out. By working out before school every day, I learn countless life lessons related to dedication, goals, and modesty. During my free time in the morning, evening, and weekends, I enjoy cooking. Many mornings, I cook breakfast for my sister, cousin, and anyone else that shows up after working out. Mom usually has food ready at home after sports practices, but I still find some excuse to cook my own food and improve my skills. The weekends provide me time to cook large meals. Not only do I improve my cooking skills, but I learn to multitask effectively. I also prepare all of my lunches for the week on Sunday afternoons.” When Lane was asked what high school memory stands out above all others, he had this to say, “I enjoyed the band cruise last spring. We flew into Florida and cruised through Royal Caribbean to Nassau, Bahamas. I like to describe the cruise as a miniature utopia, where life refuses to throw problems my way. Hanging out with friends, enjoying the warm weather, and experiencing the activities on the cruise produced a strong memory I will never forget. The 2021-2022 wrestling season stands out above all other events in my high school career. With the team only losing two matches all year, one against the second ranked team and the other in the state championship, the second-place finish.” Although undecided on a college, Lane is set on pursuing a degree in biology, driven by a fascination with bodily systems. In 10 years, Lane hopes to be working as a physician’s assistant or doctor, using his knowledge to make a difference in others' lives. Lane’s advice to underclassmen? “Live your own life. Ignore peer pressure. Pursue personal success while helping others along the way.” As Lane prepares to embark on the next chapter, his journey is a testament to hard work, ambition, and the support of a strong community.

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

< Hall of Fame Jennifer Fussy Class of 1988 Inducted May 2015 Jennifer Fussy was a 1988 graduate of Royalton High School where she excelled in athletics and in the classroom. Jennifer was a driven student athlete and never backed down from a challenge. Jennifer was a very decorated student athlete, she was a two-time letter winner in Cross Country, and a four-time letter winner in basketball. She also was an All Prairie Conference award winner her sophomore, junior and senior year and was All State Honorable Mention in Class A. However, Jennifer’s true passion really came to life on the baseball diamond. Jennifer entered onto the varsity baseball team her freshman year and played stints at first base where she proved to be an excellent fielder. She made her debut on the mound as a relief pitcher during her freshman year against Grey Eagle. In her sophomore year, she started as a pitcher and was able to record her first W. According to the MSHSL, to this date Jennifer is the only female to record a pitching win in a high school baseball game. Jennifer went on to letter in baseball her freshmen, sophomore, and junior year. In her senior year, Royalton fast pitch softball program was in its second year and Jennifer was able to participate with her female peers and she earned All Prairie Conference honors. Her athletic achievements and involvement in student activities did not stop there. She was selected as the female Athlete of the Year her junior and senior years, President of the Letterman’s Club, Student Council Representative, Art Club Member, and earned numerous scholarships. Following graduation from Royalton High School, she attended St. Cloud State University where she majored in Special Education. Jennifer graduated in May of 1994 and accepted a job at Mora Public Schools that fall. While at Mora Public Schools, she has taught Special Education in all levels and facets for their K-12 education. Jennifer directs the Focus program for Mora High School which she developed in 2008 and modeled after other successful programs supporting the at-risk population. In this capacity, she and the Mora ALC staff have worked together to provide interventions and support to the at-risk students improving attendance and graduation rates. On a daily basis, one can witness her effectiveness with this population of students. She is truly interested in each student’s needs and interests, forms lasting relationships, and because of this, her students work hard to pass classes and stay in school. Jennifer recently completed her educational administration certification with hopes of becoming a school leader. Jennifer has numerous positive attributes; many of those she will admit were instilled during her involvement in athletics at Royalton High School. She is described by her coworkers as being exceptionally organized, a strong team player, a motivating leader who effectively communicates and collaborates with teachers, staff, and parents. Jennifer is an avid outdoorsman, and volunteers in the summer recreation youth baseball and softball programs. She and her husband Troy, reside in Mora, with their children, Riley and Rita.