Education Briefs: Oct. 23, 2010

MW names new campus marketer

WORTHINGTON — Minnesota West Community and Technical College has named Marie Johnson as campus marketer on the Worthington campus.

Johnson has an associate’s degree from Minnesota West and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Minnesota State University in Mankato. She is also the head Lady Jay Volleyball coach at the college.

W-WG cheers its way to first place

COLLEGEVILLE — The fivemember Westbrook-Walnut Grove football cheer team took first-place varsity Division A honors Oct. 16 at the MCCA State Cheer Off at St. John’s University in Collegeville.

The team consists of captain Kelsey Mischke, Rachel Christians, Amelia Malmberg, Sena Vang and Malia Yang.

The Cheer Off is an annual fall competition designed for cheer teams to showcase their sideline skills. The team competed at the state level after qualifying in regional competition on Oct. 2 at Eden Prairie High School.

Judges evaluate teams in four categories: a sideline cheer that could be executed during a game; a floor cheer appropriate for timeouts that includes stunts, jumps and props; performance of the team’s school song; and an “overall effect” category where uniformity, crowd appeal and creativity are considered. Each category is worth 25 points.

The Charger ladies scored well above the competition, which included seven other Division A schools, earning first place with 77.25 points.

In addition to receiving a megaphone trophy, the team will cheer at the All-State Football Game in June at St. Cloud State University.

PE students attend art conference

MARSHALL —Twenty thirdand fourth-grade students at Prairie Elementary were among 750 participants at the SW/WC Service Cooperatives’ 17th annual Conference for Young Artists Oct. 12 at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Students from 28 area schools participated in the event.

The keynote, Circus Arts, was presented by professional juggler and clown Sean Emery. Students also attended three hands-on sessions on topics related to the visual and performing arts — pottery, clay sculpture, drawing, watercolor painting, printmaking, creating cartoon characters, origami, acting, sand paining and more.

Also attending the conference were teachers Tasha Raymo, Stephanie Fletcher, Christine Brouwer and Carrisa Gabrielson.

To see a photo gallery of local students at the conference, click the "GALLERIES" tab.

Worthington native earns award

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Senior Kim Hibma, Worthington, has been awarded the Augustana Covenant Award for Christian Faith.

A series of Covenant Awards is presented throughout each academic year, one for each of the college’s five core values — Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community and Service. A committee of faculty and staff review nominations from the entire campus community.

Hibma, an elementary and special education major, is described as a caring, responsible and hard-working individual who is both grounded and selfassured.

Hibma works with area youths and has been a leader in Augustana’s Campus Outreach Ministries since her freshman year. She seeks to be a Christian role model for others.

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