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By MICHAEL LEACH
Contributing writer
As fall approaches, so does another school year for many college and university students. And thankfully, the 2021-22 school year looks to be more than just a return to class. This year, most schools are planning on hosting students on campus again after a year filled with abnormalities.
The COVID 19 pandemic brought many things to a screeching halt, including college campuses.
Schools scrambled to convert classes to an online, stay-at-home format, so they could continue services and not leave countless students' educations on hold with no end in sight. But the end has come, and as states have lifted social distancing restrictions, schools have begun preparing to deliver a "normal” year once again. But this year won't quite be normal for many students.
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CHEER - The five All-American competition cheer leaders from NRHEG are pictured above: Payton Bunn, Brenna Sommer, Isabel Stadheim, Eva Wayne, and Grace Wilkenson.
Five NRHEG Panther Varsity Competition Cheer team members were selected as All-Americans.
Payton Bunn, Brenna Sommer, Isabel Stadheim, Eva Wayne, and Grace Wilkenson from NRHEG High School have been named All-American cheerleaders by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). These athletes are five of more than 800 high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the country who have been invited to take part in a special performance (Location TBD) in November.
The individuals invited to perform are part of a select group of cheerleaders who attended a Varsity Spirit summer camp hosted by UCA. At the end of July, the Panther Varsity Competition Cheer Team attended a UCA Master's Camp at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Master's Camps are invitation only, and the Panthers, 2020-2021 State Champions in the Class A Non-Tumbling Division, were selected based on their level of skill.
Being selected as an All-American is a huge honor for those who are chosen. Sophomore Brenna Sommer says, "This is my first year trying out for and making the All-American team, and I couldn't be more excited! It was a little nerve-wracking, but having my teammates there really helped me! I'm so honored to be named an All-American Cheerleader along with my teammates." Sophomore Payton Bunn agrees, saying, " I'm so excited to have been named an All-American Cheerleader for the second year in a row! It's great to see so many athletes from our team earning this title!"
The Panthers just started practice for their 2021-22 season, with performances and competitions taking place later this fall and winter.
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Filling in for Evangelical Lutheran Churches
By BARB FINSETH
Staff Writer
Pastor Joshua Skogen began serving the Hartland and Manchester Evangelical Lutheran Churches as vacancy pastor at the beginning of August of this year. Previously, Pastor Shawn Stafford served for 10 years with the people of these two churches before leaving to fill a position as an assistant professor in the Religion Department at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.
In the Evangelical Churches, it is customary for a local pastor of their fellowship to serve a vacancy on a part-time basis until a full-time pastor is hired. Pastor Skogen is now serving as full-time pastor for Scarville and Center Lutheran congregations in Iowa. He has taken the responsibility to line up pastors or seminarians to cover each Sunday worship service for Hartland and Manchester. He also travels to Hartland to teach confirmation class, visit shut-ins, and provide personal pastoral care wherever it is needed.
Joshua and his wife, Katie, live in Scarville, Iowa with their six children, ages 12, 10, 9, 7, and identical twins three years old. In personal time, Joshua says he enjoys, "spending time with my family, visiting extended family, playing disc golf, and helping with the youth wrestling club in Lake Mills, Iowa.”
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By SUE NASINEC
Owner, and director at Bruss Heitner Funeral Home
I have wanted to be a mortician since I was ten years old. Sadly, the death of one of my best guy friends led me to realize that I wanted to help people because I was fascinated by science and what could be done after a person died.
As a student at Ellendale-Geneva High School, the big 7th-grade half-hour report was renowned by the sixth graders (knowing it was coming up) and the 8th graders who were glad it was over. The teacher at the time was Douglas Parr, who I am happy to report I am still in contact with today. The report had to include several components: two interviews with someone directly related to your topic and props to get your point across. Well, challenge accepted.
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The City of New Richland accepted its preliminary tax budget calling for a 10.9% tax levy increase during its regular council meeting, Monday, Sept. 27.
In the 3-1 decision, Council Person Jason Casey cast the first no vote of any council member, on any decision, all year.
“I would like to see if each department could provide us with a budget including a 5% cut and a budget with a 10% cut,” Councilperson Casey stated. “We will have another meeting to discuss changing it before the December meeting.”
Mayor Gail Schmidt agreed and said, following meetings with the heads of various departments, they would return to the budget proposal in November. A work session was scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
The final budget meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13, 2021, where residents of New Richland can voice their opinions/concerns.