UNSUNG HEROES - Participating in the Unsung Heroes float are Deb Bently, Brenda Dobberstein, LeeAnn Hojberg, Gene Greenwood, Donna Olson, Paula Conklin, Devin Dobesh, Paul Kampen and Matt Groskreutz.
Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
As the school year drew to a close early in June, all NRHEG staff members were notified of a pleasant surprise. They had been selected as the 2021 recipients of the “Unsung Heroes” recognition offered by the Ellendale Community Action Group (ECAG).
The organization’s current president, Allison Muilenburg, gave the announcement over the intercom system at both school sites, saying “The NRHEG community has greatly appreciated the efforts and action of each staff member during the past 15 months.”
Criteria for the award, which has been given four times so far by the 5-year-old organization (The pandemic prevented a 2020 recipient from being named.), are quite simple: “Outstanding citizenship without expecting recognition.”
Each year, the ECAG invites community members to nominate fellow citizens for the award. Once the selection is made, it is usually kept secret until Ellendale Days, and then announced during the community bingo game sponsored by the ECAG. “We usually go to great lengths to keep the name secret,” explains Muilenburg. “But in this case, since we were naming a group of people, the usual system wouldn’t work.”
District staff members were invited to ride on a unit in the Ellendale Days parade, but since downpours cancelled that event, the invitation was extended again for Farm and City Days in New Richland. Staff members able to take part were provided not only with a float which identified them as winners, but also candy to toss to parade-goers.
Brenda Kampen, a paraprofessional who works at the Ellendale site, and her husband Paul, who is head custodian there, both took part in the parade. “We were grateful to be chosen,” says Brenda. “Many people didn’t realize the ‘unsung’ work that needed to be done at the school. People stepped out of their usual roles and took care of things that needed doing. It was a challenging year that created a lot of extra demands.”
The “unsung” part of the title seems especially appropriate, says Brenda, because many members of the public may have assumed staff was working less rather than more, given that students were not in the buildings as often. “It was uplifting to be honored this way,” she says. “The recognition adds to the sense of fulfillment that comes from doing our work to the best of our ability.”
As has been the case for all Unsung Heroes winners so far, district staff members will be presented with plaques commemorating their title. One will be provided for display in each school building.
“Everybody deserves a little recognition, whether they expect it or not,” observes Muilenburg. “There wasn’t anyone in the school who didn’t have a rough year. Everyone had their jobs complicated by all the changes and adjustments needed because of the pandemic. Yet everyone worked together and made it possible for our community’s children to learn.”
The ECAG has about 10 members who take part with the intent of “giving back to the community where we have so many ties,” says Muilenberg. “As a group, we are very grateful for the benefits we’ve experienced from being part of this area’s close-knit network. We want to acknowledge what’s good while also looking for ways to make it even better.”
A major project over the last couple years has been raising funds toward a digital sign; more information on that is available another article.
The ECAG has also worked over the past few years to raise money toward the NRHEG fifth-graders’ annual trip to the Eagle Bluff camp. Cost for the week-long trip is more than $100 per participant; money the group raises can be used either to provide “camperships” for students who otherwise might not be able to go, or can help decrease the cost for all participants. Toward this end, the organization invites NRHEG fourth-graders to enter a contest to design a “Panther Pride” t-shirt for the following year. Shirts using the winning design are then offered for sale the next fall and income helps support the Eagle Bluff trip.
A “Panther Den” featuring clothing items sporting district-specific shirts, jackets, and more, also helps fund ECAG projects which support student activities. The shop is attached to the “Floors-4-U” store along main street.
“We’re focused on doing anything we can to make things a little better,” observes Muilenburg.