Author Archives: Colton Hall

Winner Area Retired Teachers’ Association met on Feb. 18 at the Tripp County Library meeting room with 15 members and 10 guests present. President Trena Vandenbark presided over the meeting.

The WARTA members have been invited to participate in a book discussion on March 11 via telephone.  The book discussion will center on the book “Life Reimagined”. You may contact Trena Vandenbark or Donna Brozik for more information.

For the March meeting bring your favorite book .  Members need to turn in their volunteer hours at the March meeting.  It was announced that 68 fifth grade students from Winner and Colome wrote grandparent essays. The winners were announced and honored at the February meeting.  Reading their essays for the members were : Maya Vandenbark, Colome – 1st place, Katie Welker, Colome – 2nd place, and Caden Munroe, Colome – 3rd place.  Honorable Mention went to Kasie Leighton, Colome and Trinity Vrbka, Winner. Maya Vandenbark’s essay will now be entered in the state competition.

The next meeting for WARTA will be on March 18 at the Tripp County Library.

Roseland Chapter 113 Order of Eastern Star held its official visit on Saturday, Feb. 7. Worthy Matron Marlene Frantz and Worthy Patron Jack Frantz welcomed the associate grand conductress Jodee Back of Rapid City as their visitor for the day.

A school of instruction was held in the afternoon followed by an evening meeting.

The worthy grand matron Kristie Erickson, Aberdeen and worthy grand patron Dave True, Rapid City, were present for the day along with several other grand officers including Linda Nelson of Winner, Grand Electa.

Seventy members and visitors enjoyed the evening and the coin march was donated to ACTS (Assisting Children to Smile) Foundation and cancer research.

Roseland chapter meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Three Winner 5^th grade girls competed in the 2015 Corn Palace regional spelling bee in Mitchell on Feb. 14.

Hattie Hespe, Shayla Bice and Adienne Lewis attended along with teacher Jamie Schomp.

Schomp said the three girls represented Winner Elementary School very well.

Bice and Lewis did not make it past the first round along with a majority of other students.

Hespe made it to round 2 after spelling the word “cabal” in round 1. She had tough luck with her second round word “veracity.”

The Corn Palace Regional Spelling Bee awarded three top places. Sixth grader Mackenzie Christensen, Huron, won first; 6^th grader Aubrey Rutledge, Huron, won second and Heidi Tirrel, 8^th grader from Mitchell Christian won third.

In conjunction with National Career and Technical Education Month, nearly 40 student leaders came to Pierre, Feb. 10-11 for the South Dakota Career and Technical Student Organizations’ Legislative Shadow Day.

Students, legislators, cabinet members and state agency staff kicked off activities with an evening social Feb. 10. The next day, students shadowed legislators at committee meetings and observed House and Senate floor sessions.

Among the students was Molly Connot, president of the Winner High School Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and FCCLA State Vice President of Membership.

“CTSO Legislative Shadow Day is always a special day in Pierre,” said Tiffany Sanderson, director of career and technical education for the South Dakota Department of Education. “Students get a taste of the political process and learn about opportunities for public service. Legislators enjoy the chance to share what they do and learn about these young leaders’ experiences.”

Five CTSOs are active in South Dakota: DECA – an association of marketing students, Future Business Leaders of America, FCCLA, FFA, and SkillsUSA – an association of trade, technology and health occupation students.

CTSOs allow students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom through competitive events; develop leadership and employability skills; and serve their communities.

Career and technical education seeks to equip students with core academic skills and the ability to apply those skills for careers and life. CTE emphasizes employability skills like critical thinking, responsibility and technical skills related to specific career pathways.