Dell Rapids High School Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Both Schools Perform at Respective One-Act Play Regionals

January 31, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Both Dell Rapids St Mary and Dell Rapids Public high schools had performances in regional one-act play competitions on Wednesday, January 29th.

Dell Rapids St Mary performed at the Region 1B competition held at the Brandon Performing Arts Center. The team tied for 6th place overall. Jordan Eining and Austin Greene-LeBrune were named outstanding performers for their parts in the play.

Dell Rapids performed at the Region 3A competition held at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison. The Dell Rapids team placed third at their regions. Outstanding acting awards were earned by Mitchell Heinemann, Shannon Carlson, Latham Sundt, Peyton Gleason, and Kat Fletcher. Erin Larson and Abby Stauffenecker earned votes.

Dell Rapids Public High School Educator Awarded Association of American Educators Foundation Classroom Grant

November 27, 2019 by Submitted

Dell Rapids, SD – Mr. Darwin Daugaard, a science teacher at Dell Rapids Public High School in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, has been awarded a classroom grant by the Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF) for the purchase of fuel cell kits to help his students emulate his recent bacteria research by constructing ten operational fuel cells.

“I hope to give my students an experience in STEM research with a real-world application,” noted Mr. Daugaard in his application. “My students will see that there is a good use for bacteria and waste material as well as assembling a device that gives people a green renewable resource.”

AAEF is committed to offering individual educators various avenues for improving effectiveness in the classroom. “AAE commends the dedication that Mr. Daugaard has demonstrated in securing funding for materials that will expose his students to scientific research including, design, data collection, analysis, and critical thinking,” said AAE Senior Professional Programs Manager Melissa Pratt. “Our scholarships and grants are an investment in empowering teachers as professionals and supporting students in all educational communities nationwide.”

The Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides teachers and leaders with opportunities, information, and funds to reform and improve the education of America’s youth. AAEF was established to support the activities and mission of the Association of American Educators (AAE)—the largest national, non-union, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda. AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership is $16.50 per month which includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources, and many other benefits. Visit aaeteachers.org for more information.

2019 South Dakota All-State Chorus & Orchestra Scheduled for Sioux Falls

October 30, 2019 by Submitted

Over 1,000 of South Dakota’s best high school vocal and instrumental musicians will gather in Sioux Falls for the 67^th Annual South Dakota All-State Chorus and Orchestra on Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2. The All-State activities will culminate with a Grand Concert at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday evening, November 2nd. Concert tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the box office in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. The doors of the PREMIER Center will open for the Concert at 5:30 on Saturday evening.

Twelve local signers will take part in this year’s All-State Chorus. Eight students from Dell Rapids and four students from Dell Rapids St Mary will participate in the concert. Kat Fletcher, Morgan Brech, Abby Stauffenecker, Anna Symens, Andrew Weiland, Gunner Chamley, Peyton Gleason, and Logan Schrad were selected from Dell Rapids. Avery Carder, Paige Bunkers, Noah Dennis, and Jon Bares were selected from Dell Rapids St Mary.

The annual All-State Chorus & Orchestra, sponsored by South Dakota High School Activities Association, is the largest interscholastic high school music activity held in South Dakota. The 2019 All-State Chorus includes 940 singers representing 144 South Dakota high schools. The All-State Orchestra is comprised of 156 musicians from 25 schools.

The guest conductors for the 2019 All-State Chorus & Orchestra Concert are Dr. Timothy Dixon from Messiah College, and Dr. Andrew Last from Luther College. Dr. Last will conduct the All-State Chorus while Dr. Dixon will lead the 2019 All-State Orchestra.

During the All-State Grand Concert, the South Dakota Music Educators Association will recognize several high schools and individuals for their contributions to music in South Dakota. The SDHSAA will also recognize Deanna Wehrspann for her contributions to interscholastic music education by awarding her with the SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award.

Dell Rapids Homecoming Royalty Candidates Announced

September 25, 2019 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids High School announced their 2019 Homecoming Royalty candidates. This year’s candidates are Karsen Welbig, Olivia Stelzer, Tyler Wood, Mallary Haak, Sydney Emery, Carter Rentz, Aspen Hansen, and Drew VanRegenmorter.

Homecoming week this year will be Monday, September 30th through Friday, October 4th. Coronation will be held on the 30th at 8:00 p.m.

Photo taken and used with permission by Stacey Gleason

Dell Rapids Public School to Install Vape Sensors

September 18, 2019 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

As vaping continues to grow in popularity in middle school and high school aged children around the area, Dell Rapids public schools will be installing vape detectors this year in hopes of deterring students from vaping. Dr. Summer Schultz sent a letter to parents throughout the district alerting parents to this change in the middle school and high school buildings.

Dr. Schultz cited alarming statistics in the rise of vaping devices in the letter. She noted that nationwide data is showing high school aged students who regularly use vaping devices has increased 78% over the last year and the number of young adults of have at least tried it increased by 400%. With this surge in use and reports across the country indicating the dangers of vaping, the school district has decided to try to combat the epidemic.

Dr. Schultz said in the letter, “Unfortunately, because vaping devices create minimal exhaled aerosol, and limited odor, our district has struggled to stop vaping on school grounds. Going into the new school year, we have revised policy, worked to eliminate opportunity, and purchased detection devices. Our intent is not to catch or trick students, rather, we hope to mitigate the activity in some of our most private area. As users become addicted to nicotine, we know the long-term effects will continue to increase and nicotine can easily become a gateway to other substances. Doing nothing is not an option, and although this isn’t going to solve the problem entirely, I hope it is a step in the right direction.”

The school partnered with the Dell Rapids Connections group to help fund the purchase of the devices. Local businesses that help sponsor the annual Revive Fitness Family Run donated directly to this causes. Those businesses are Dells Materials, BX Civil & Construction, Direct Automation, Big Sioux Media, Revive Fitness, Avera of Dell Rapids, and Brian Nelson, American National Insurance.

The full letter from the district is featured below in its entirety.

Dell Rapids Vaping Letter

New School Board Member to Join in July

April 16, 2019 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids School Board will have a new member join in July. The school board held an election on Tuesday, April 9th for two open positions. Three cadidates, incumbent Matthew Weiland, Lee Bollock, and Denise Cavigielli, petitioned to fill the two open spots.

Weiland unofficially finished with 127 votes and will return the school board for another term. Bollock will join the board after compiling 117 votes. Cavigielli finished with 78 votes.

Bollock will take over for current member Jody Schumaker, whose term expires in July.

Student Actors Recognized for Performances

January 25, 2019 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Seven student actors received recognition for their performances at their respective Region One-Act plays recently.

Two students from Dell Rapids St Mary earned awards during the Region 1B One-Act plays held on Wednesday, January 23rd, at the Brandon Performing Arts Center. Avery Carder won the Outstanding Female Actress, and Nick Wolles took home Best Male Actor.

Five different performers were recognized from Dell Rapids High School during the Region 3A One-Act plays held on Wednesday in Madison at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. Tim Jaycox, Bergen Weiland, Lathan Sundt, Peyton Gleason, and Kat Fletcher all received Outstanding Acting Awards.

Twelve Groups Earn Academic Achievement Awards in Dell Rapids

January 16, 2019 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Eight groups from Dell Rapids St Mary and four from Dell Rapids earned Academic Achievement Team Awards from the South Dakota High School Activities Association for the 2018-2019 fall season.

The team awards are given to varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups for their academic excellence. To receive the award, the group much have a combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

The Football team, All-State Chorus group, Oral Interpretation group, Boys Cross Country team, Girls Cross Country team, Football Cheerleaders, Competitive Cheer team, and the Volleyball team all earned the honor from Dell Rapids St Mary High School.

The Girls Cross Country team, Boys Golf team, Football team, and Boys Cross Country team earned the honor from Dell Rapids High School.

Workforce Education Could Be Coming to Dell Rapids

December 14, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Workforce education, or apprenticeships, could be part of the education curriculum at Dell Rapids as early as next year. Superintendent Dr. Summer Schultz gave a brief update on the goal of the school to have workforce education to the Dell Rapids School Board during their regular meeting on Monday, December 10th.

“We have got to figure out a way to get more work-based opportunities for our high school kids. The state is telling us we have flexibility to give credit those apprenticeships, job shadowing, and things like that. The state is saying you can give these alternate pathways to kids for credit,” said Dr. Schultz.

Dr. Schultz also mentioned that it’s hard to do that right now. She is meeting with the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce and city administration over the winter months to discuss specifics of the plan and will have a more formal, detailed announcement out to the public at a later time. Dr. Schultz is also currently looking for businesses around Dell Rapids that are wanting to do apprenticeships or job shadowing to try to get this goal going for next school year.

“When we figure out of every 100 kids that start college in South Dakota, 23 finish with a degree. Clearly we are missing the boat for a lot of kids, and we’re not sending them down the right path. I’m not saying we don’t want every kid to be college ready and college prepared, but if that isn’t their path and that’s not where they want to go, maybe we should provide some opportunities for them in other places also,” said Dr. Schultz. She also mentioned these opportunities would also benefit students that do want to go to college in helping them figure out a course of study.

Dr. Schultz urged the members of the board if they know of any businesses in the area that are willing to provide these opportunities to please let her know. Administration is looking to build those alliances now for the next school year.

Oral Interp Performers Qualify for State

November 14, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Two oral interp participants have earned themselves a chance to perform at the 2018 State Oral Interp Festival. Brooke-Lynn Hawthorne of Dell Rapids and Aubry Hansen from Dell Rapids St Mary both qualified from their respective regions.

Hawthorne qualified for her storytelling piece that was performed at the Class A Region III meet on Monday, November 12th at Brookings. Dell Rapids also had a few students earn alternate spots. They include Tim Jaycox in humor, Ella Lueders in serious, Jaycox and Emily Dorn in duet acting, and the reader’s theater team of Kat Fletcher, Peyton Gleason, Jaycox, Lueders, and Krystal Stange.

Hansen advanced to the regions in the serious reading category after her district performance on Wednesday, November 7th in Madison. Hansen’s performance at the regional meet on Tuesday, November 13th in Sioux Falls earned her a trip to the state competition. Thomas Eining advanced through the district meet to the regions, but fell just short of qualifying for state.

The 2018 South Dakota State Oral Interp Festival will be held on Friday, November 30th and Saturday, December 1st at the Lake Area Technical Institue and Watertown High School. Hawthorne’s storytelling category will start at 6:00 p.m. Friday at Lake Area Technical Institute. Hansen’s serious reading category will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Watertown High School.

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