Briefs: Education events, achievements abound

WHS speech team achieves

MANKATO -- The Worthington Trojan Speech Team placed fourth at the Mankato East Fiesta Tournament last week.

In extemporaneous reading, Lexy Steinle placed first and John Shepherd placed eighth.

In discussion, Mariah Teerink placed fourth and Ben Kroll placed sixth.

In extemporaneous speaking, Alex Ling placed second and Erin Schutte placed sixth.

Heather Johnson placed fourth in creative expression and Andrew Hoffman placed fourth in informative.

Excellence Awards were won by Maggie Fornoff in great speeches, Sarah Korthals in drama and Bridget Wass in extemporaneous reading.

Also competing were Isaac Wass, Annie Zaske, Ashly Kingery, Jeremy Clark, Sameera Nalla, Erin Pomranke, Kyle Fleming, Mindy Kuhl, Rachel Verde, Wesley Berger and Kristi Kuhl.

WMS students seek service project help

WORTHINGTON -- In recognition of Violence Behavior Month, Worthington Middle School students in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) decided to give back to the community by making tie blankets for kids in foster care in Nobles County.

SADD students are looking for financial donations for purchasing materials, contributions of newly-bought fleece in 1.5 yard or larger lengths, and help making blankets April 19 at the WMS gym.

Donations can be dropped off starting Monday through April 16 at McCarthy's Floral, Textile Treasures, Center Sports, Hy-Vee, American Family Insurance, or mailed to the Worthington Middle School, care of SADD advisor Bess Henrichs, 1401 N. Crailsheim Road, Worthington.

For more information, contact Henrichs at bess.henrichs@isd518.net or call 376-4174.

Family Services gives tie blankets to children along with a backpack and a stuffed animal.

NCC student on All-Iowa Academic Team

SHELDON, Iowa -- Northwest Iowa Community College student Amanda Reed was recognized as one of 44 outstanding community college students in Iowa recently.

Reed, a native of Ocheyedan, Iowa, was nominated by a committee on campus to represent Northwest Iowa Community College on the All-Iowa Academic Team.

Reed excelled academically and demonstrated intellectual rigor in her course of study, showed academic growth and potential and used her two-year college education to better herself, her school and her community.

Harris-Lake alum excels in speech

ABERDEEN, S.D. -- The Northern State University Speech and Debate team recently won the South Dakota State Championship and the Championship of the Dakotas this year.

James Ruehle of Lake Park, Iowa, a 1995 graduate of Harris-Lake Park High School, is a member of the team.

WMS student in regional bee

WORTHINGTON -- Nathan Landwehr, a student at Worthington Middle School, participated in the Multi-Region State Spelling Bee March 11 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Cloud.

Adrian hosting rubber stamp camp

ADRIAN -- Adrian Community Education will offer a "Stamp Camp" for rubber stamp card-creation from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 31 at the Adrian High School home economics room.

Participants will make 10 cards, with five different card designs. Children 10 and older may attend, but should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants should provide their own adhesive and scissors.

Call 483-2266 to register.

NCC students certified

SHELDON, Iowa -- Several students at Northwest Iowa Community College became certified as Microsoft Office specialists and experts recently.

Among those receiving the expert status were Abbie Bloemendaal of Hull, Iowa, Rachael Holz of Sheldon and Melissa Potter of Worthington. Specialists were Katie Riordan of Primghar, Iowa, Amber Van Tilburg of Doon, Iowa, and Kayla Warntjes of Boyden, Iowa.

Minnesota West connects cultures

WORTHINGTON -- Minnesota West Community and Technical College will offer its Connecting Cultures through Art and Literature in Mexico this summer.

Participants include Leann Enninga, Steve and Judy Harder, Janelle McKenzie, Joan Vandekamp, Cliff Vrieze and instructor Le Lucht.

The trip will include travel to Mexico, visiting museums, pyramids, the Ballet Folklorico, and Chapultepec Castle. Students will take classes at the Instituto Cultura Oaxaca and assist in the Oaxaca Street Children Grass Roots project.