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< Hall of Fame Tim Prom Class of 1987 Inducted May 2017 Tim Prom was the fifth child in a family of ten brothers and sisters. The Don and Mary Prom family lived west of Bowlus on a family farm and instilled the values of hard work, commitment, and being a team player. These attributes helped mold Tim to be the educational leader that he is today. Tim Prom graduated from Royalton High School in 1987 where he took an active role participating in a multitude of activities that school had to offer. He honed his athletic skills and excelled in football, basketball, track & field, and baseball. Tim earned nine varsity letters and seven All-Conference awards. Tim was involved in the arts through Band, Jazz Band, Choir, Drama Club, and participated in the school plays. He was also a class officer in Student Council, in the Letterman's Club, and the Homecoming King. Following graduation from Royalton High School, Tim attended Brainerd Community College, now Central Lakes College, where he continued his involvement in a positive school culture. He played football as quarterback from 1987-1989, was captain of the team, participated in RC Cola Bowl game, and played basketball. Additionally, he was Secretary of the Student Senate and was the Homecoming King. In 1989, Tim chose to attend St. Cloud State where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Education. During this time, he shifted his contributions from athlete to coach of Royalton's freshman basketball and high school track & field teams. Tim spent the first 14 years of his career as a teacher of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students, starting out in Fairmont, MN. However, he spent the majority of his teaching career at Buffalo Middle School with 6th graders. He was awarded the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award (LEEA) in 2006. Beyond the classroom, he offered his coaching abilities to all levels of middle and high school athletics in football, basketball, and track. Some of his discus and shot put throwers advanced to the state tournament. A personal highlight for Tim was the opportunity to coach all three of his daughters from 3rd to 8th grade in basketball and softball. Tim advanced his own education by achieving his Master's in Education Degree in 2001 and his Administrative Degree in 2005, both from St. Mary's University. He served as the Assistant Principal of Pinewood Elementary School in Monticello, MN for the 2006-2007 school year. He moved to the Annandale district to be the Head Middle School Principal in 2007, and has been there ever since. In administrative role, Tim has implemented a number of building wide programs geared toward closing the achievement gaps to help students of AMS become more successful. He initiated and helped write a grant to obtain district-wide technology in 2008, outfitting all classrooms in the district with SMART boards, projectors and other technology. This, and many other efforts were honored by awarding him the 2009 Outstanding Service Award. Most recently, Tim was selected as the Central Division Principal of the year in May 2015 by the Central Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. This award lead to him receiving the statewide Secondary Principal of the year award, which he humbly accepted in January 2016. He is the first to give credit to the team of teachers, administrators, and students he works with as well as his family for their continued support. His colleges value his personal approach to leadership. He encourages his staff to continue to develop their teaching skills, take risks by trying new teaching methods, work together, and to make decisions based on the best interest of students. His open-door policy sets the tone for a positive school culture. In March of 2017, Tim accepted the position of Superintendent of Annandale Schools and will begin this role in July 2017. Tim and his wife Becky reside in St. Augusta and they have three daughters, Alexis, Abby and Grace.

< Hall of Fame Jim Langer Class of 1966 Inducted May 2010 Jim Langer is a 1966 graduate of Royalton High School and a 1970 graduate of South Dakota State University. Langer was an all-conference football and baseball player at SDSU and was an All-American in baseball in 1969. Upon graduating from SDSU, Langer was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 1970, but was released to the Miami Dolphins where he played for 10 seasons, including the perfect 17-0 season of 1972. He was the MVP of the Miami Dolphins in 1976, selected as an All-Pro 5 times, and played in the Pro-Bowl 6 times in his career. Langer played in three Super Bowls and was elected on the 1st Ballot in 1987 to the NFL Hall of Fame. Langer has also been named to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, and has been recognized as a distinguished alumni and member of the SDSU Hall of Fame. Since his pro football career, Langer has amassed ten years of commercial banking experience, 19 years in the truck equipment business owning his own business, Custom Truck Accessories. He is a past board member of such organizations as the United Way, Red Cross, and Boy Scouts of America. Langer is a retired captain of the US Army Reserve. He has been married to his wife Lynda for 41 years and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

< Hall of Fame Leo Wenner Class of 1954 Inducted May 2011 Leo Wenner graduated from Royalton High School in 1954. He began driving bus for the Royalton School District in 1959 and in 2011, 52 years later you can still find Leo behind the wheel of a school bus. To put this in perspective, a senior about to graduate from RHS in 1959 at the age of 18 would most likely be retired today and would be looking forward to their 70th Birthday in the next few years! Leo has driven our busses as a route driver and has transported many teams and activity busses over the years. The average school bus route in the Royalton District is approximately 38 miles. If you average this route twice a day for approximately 170 days per year for 52 years, the mileage adds up to almost 672,000 miles in a Royalton school bus! Leo has transported his, and his wife Joan’s, children and grandchildren as students at RHS.

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

< 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.

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

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

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back February 2020 Artist of the Month Isaac Kasella Isaac Kasella, son of Steve and Colleen Kasella, was recently named February Artist of the Month at Royalton High School. Kasella, a senior, has taken many art classes at the middle and high school, and was also named this year's Most Valuable Editor on the 2020 Yearbook Staff. "I have taken as many art classes as I could since I was in 7th grade," said Kasella. "My love for the outdoors and hunting and fishing was one of the main things that I would draw in my art classes. It was a way that I could take my mind off of school and be thinking of what I might be doing when I was out of school. My sophomore year, Mr. Halverson introduced me to yearbook during a Design class. Creating the yearbook was very interesting and after the past three years, I was the Lead Senior Editor." Kasella added. "Isaac Kasella is one of the most "hard-headed" young people who I have ever had the privilege to work with," stated RHS Visual Arts instructor Carl Halverson. "I mean that as a compliment actually. When Isaac was a sophomore, I had about a dozen students in his class who had different sets of skills. Some had photography skills, some had writing, and a few had really good leadership skills. I have been doing yearbook as a class for over thirty years and we've won many different awards from three different publishing companies. One thing remains constant through all of these years. The student who might not have the most talent or ability just might surprise you as he becomes the best leader in the entire class. While other classmates would get frustrated about trivial problems that would make most people give up, Isaac Kasella simply wouldn't throw in the towel. Farm folks might refer to this as "Hard-headed" or "Stubborn." I actually see many students like this who became the owners of local businesses simply because they refused to lose. There are many second and third generation farmers who now own and run the entire operation who also prove my point. Isaac's drawing skills have also surpassed those who didn't commit to the hours needed to reach their true potential. He finished proofing the last few pages of our yearbook the other day. All I could do was say "Thanks," as he walked out the door. Thanks to a graduating senior who will rise to the top, no matter which career he chooses." Kasella will be attending Alexandria Technical and Community College where he is enrolled in the Diesel Mechanics program.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back September 2019 Artist of the Month Matthew Kasella Matthew Kasella was recently named Royalton High School's September Artist of the Month. He is the son of Rob and Amy Kasella of Morrill, and uses his drawing skills as a creative break from his core classes on a daily basis. What he has learned is far more than just drawing skills. "I didn't have an art class since sophomore year, so I was really excited to take another drawing class this year," said Kasella. " I enjoy drawing animals, so I decided on a lion, the school mascot, as my first drawing of the year. It's relaxing to take a break from some of my core classes during the day and let my creative side run wild. I also really love watching my drawings progress and improve with each project and enjoy experiencing the other things that I learn along the way." Royalton High School Art Instructor, Carl Halverson, has been teaching this particular Kasella family of children for many years. While they all have their differences in interests and abilities, they share many of the same characteristics that make them so successful in the classroom. "Many years back, I coached this kid by the name of Robbie Kasella." stated Halverson. "He had really good athletic abilities on the field. But it was off the field that he impressed me the most. He stood up strongly for the things he believed in, and helped many others out of a jam, without hesitation. At a pep fest, I introduced him as he walked onto the gym floor with these words; "Here's Rob Kasella, #71 on the field, #1 in your heart." And so it is with his youngest son Matthew. Matthew's got that same spirit, and same"big heart," nurtured by his parents and siblings, that impresses me the most. He doesn't have to hang around the popular "click" to feel "more important" than other students. He's far, far above that kind of middle school mentality. I've seen him step up and help out younger students who might be struggling in situations, while many of his senior classmates would probably walk right by. His art abilities continue to amaze me as he works with that same "farm boy" work ethic that I've seen in many of his siblings. How do you test or measure the ability to uplift people around you? They don't teach this in college. But it's the outcome we all would hope to see in our own children. You don't become a teacher for the income.. You teach for the outcome... It's this outcome that this family has given back to me throughout the years I've been at Royalton High School." "Mr. Halverson is one of the most realistic people that I know." added Kasella. "He relates art class subject matter back to life, with a very enthusiastic and humorous approach. He finds and brings out the good in the people around him. It is this teaching style and genuine concern for students that makes Art classes one of the best parts of my day."

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back October 2018 Artist of the Month Isaac Kasella Isaac Kasella, son of Steve and Colleen Kasella, was recently named as Artist of the Month at Royalton High School. Kasella has always had a passion for the outdoors for as long as he could remember. "Ever since I could walk, I have been outdoors doing everything under the sun", stated Kasella. "I enjoy doing anything outdoors. I have tried everything from shed hunting to trapping and everything in between. I took the picture of my dog Sadie, and as soon as I took it, I knew that I was going to do a drawing of it this coming school year." Kasella has earned the right to enroll in independent art classes after taking the prerequisites needed to take his talents to the next level. "I have been taking as many art classes I could since my freshman year. I have taken art techniques, drawing, painting, and ceramics class. I also had the opportunity to be welcomed into the school's yearbook class and joined the staff last year. Next year, I will work in page design, photography editing, journalism, ad sales, and graphic design. I will be promoted to a Senior Editor for my senior year, which is quite an honor in our school," added Kasella. Royalton High School's Visual Art Instructor and Yearbook Advisor Carl Halverson had these words to describe what a quality young man that Isaac Kasella has become. "It's one thing to be given a gift in any subject area while attending high school," said Halverson. "But to recognize it, and then put the effort into this talent is all part of the process that many students sadly miss. Isaac works to improve on a daily basis in anything to do with the visual arts. When you consider that there are hundreds of students who walk the hallways at our school, to be chosen as an artist of the month or honored as a Senior Editor of the award winning school yearbook, that puts him in a class by himself. His many hours that have been invested in his high school career in the direction of his abilities through our visual arts program will pay off in his direction of the path to his future. It's the kind of discipline and daily work ethic that is locked inside every student. In this case, this fine young man has found the key to unlock his future through the success that he has earned through his diligent efforts in and out of the classroom. Through his enrollment in Royalton high School's art classes, he has invested in himself. I would most certainly expect a most favorable return on investment no matter what path that the future may hold for him."