Category Archives: News

By Leila Balsiger

My grandmother, Kathleen Balsiger, has 12 grandchildren. When I am asked why I think my grandma should be the AARP South Dakota Grandparent of the Year may reasons pile up in my head. Although I would happily list all of those reasons, I would not have the time to do so. I have decided on three reasons to give in this essay. Grandma loves to give us life lessons and she encourages us to have good education. Some grandparents show their love to their grandchildren with presents or gifts, but my grandma shows us her love with her hugs, with her kisses, and even with her snuggles. She is one of the most comforting people I have ever met. She also strives to be positive all of the time and never lets us down.

Grandma has been retired for 8 years but she still substitutes for teachers who need it. My grandma loves to teach, obviously for her students but also for her kids and her grandchildren. She even loves to teach simple life lessons even if it is just how or which way to wash the table. Her favorite thing to do is teach us what she loves to do including knitting and crocheting. Another thing she loves to do is cooking and baking, but her favorite thing to do is teach others.

When I was asked to write this essay I was super nervous because I thought that it would be hard and that I wouldn’t get it done in time but when I really thought about it lots of ideas came to my mind. One of those reasons I think my grandma should be the AARP South Dakota Grandparent of the Year is that my grandma doesn’t spoil us, not with gifts or presents but there is one thing that all grandparents should spoil their kids or grandkids with and she does. That thing is love. She loves us so much that she loves us “to the moon and back a thousand times” she always says. She showers us with so many kisses! In my opinion, she is one of the most loving grandmas ever!

My grandma is always trying to be positive. At my basketball tournament in the Black Hills last year, we won two games and lost one. The whole team was very disappointed because our goal was to win every game that season. When we have to go back to our parents or grandparents, I was really bummed but as soon as we got there, my grandma congratulated me on my wins but I just said “thanks” and dropped down on the bleachers. She asked why I was sad so I told her and then she said that we played great defense and told me that it was the best game that she had ever seen which really cheered me up! My grandma can find the good in anything!

Most kids get clothes or gifts from their grandparents but we get life lessons that will last us the rest of our yeas. I am sure that my cousins and my brothers and sisters can all agree. Our grandma is very important to us and in our lives. Grandma encourages us to do the best we can do. For those reasons, I think my grandma, Kathleen Balsiger, should be the AARP Grandparent of the Year.

By Emma Vandenbark

My Grandma Trena Vadenbark should be the AARP South Dakota Grandparent of the year. She is caring to all those around her, unique and creative in all ways, and she is also a good role model for me.

My grandma is caring. She invites one of us to spend the night at her house every Friday. She always has something fun in mind for us to do together. An example of this is she lets us pick something to bake as well as a craft to create and give to my family members. She also is a good friend to her neighbors. She visits her neighbors and friends that are in the care center. She reads them books and volunteers to help them every Tuesday at bingo. She also gives rides to people who have doctor appointments in other towns. She is as kind and caring to her friends as she is to us.

Grandmas is unique. She decorates her house with fun things like her favorite colors, orange and yellow. Her porch is a peach color. I think it looks beautiful like her smile and as bright as her laugh. She makes her own cards that she sends to far away friends. She also has been known to make her own jewelry out of dried vegetables and paint them in bright rainbow colors. She is always busy creating something; cross stitched bookmarks for friends, windsocks for each holiday and season, blankets for the grandkids, and so much more. Grandma Trena also shows that she is one of a kind by tearing our her lawn and only planting flowers. She teaches me that being unique is wonderful and special.

Grandma Trena is a good role model to my siblings and me by using her talents to create and to cheer up people who are down. She is always helping others, making new friends, and is always being cheerful and glad. She always has a smile on her face. This makes me want to be like her and to be able to help other people who need help. She teaches me to follow the golden rule by her example. She teaches me to be honest in all I do and say. She says to not say can’t because you can always fins a solution to your problem. Another thing she says is she is allergic to whining, and it hurts her ears. This makes me want to think more positively and not to complain. What a great role model she is!

If all the reasons listed above do not convince you that my Grandma Trena should be the AARP South Dakota Grandparent of the Year, then you need to meet her. In fact, I think it should really be called the spectacular of phenomenal AARP South Dakota Grandparent of the Year because that is what my grandma is and so much more. She is caring, unique, and a great example to me and to everyone I know.

Select members of the Colome chorus traveled to Kimball Feb. 8 for the regional V vocal solo and ensemble contest.

Cheyenne Heath directed the students and Vicki Covey accompanied the soloists and groups.

Four soloists received superiors. Megan Seegers sang “Se ti m’ami” which translates to “If thoust Lovst me.” Seegers performed the song in Italian and brought home a superior.

Sophomore Grace Campbell also sang in Italian. Her selection was titled “Amarilli, mia bella.”
Campbell earned a perfect score for a superior.

Junior Jeremiah Yeaman sang the Spanish version of “Amazing grace.” Senior Callie Heath sang “Cherry Tree.” Yeaman and Heath both received a superior.

Also performing a solo was junior Rebecca Marso who sang “Kyrie” in Latin.

The girls group included Callie Heath, Kaydee Heath, Abby Pechota, Jordyn Seegers, Grace Campbell, Megan Seegers, Carleem Burger and Jaclyn Laprath. They performed the Latin song “Gloria Tibi Domine.” The judge gave the group a superior.

The mixed group also earned a superior. Participants were Callie Heath, Kaydee Heath, Abby Pechota, Jordyn Seegers, Grace Campbell, Megan Seegers, Carleen Burger, Jaclyn Laprath, Becca Marso, Jeremiah Yeaman, Wiley Heath and Holden Thieman. The trio of Wiley Heath, Holden Thieman and Jeremiah Yeaman sang “Who are the brave.