Last days at the ‘place to start’
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Teri Kormann’s last day as “the place to start” at NRHEG Secondary School was Wednesday, June 5. Since 2012, Kormann has been the face at the office service window where people would come with questions, drop off forms, or simply stop by in search of a sympathetic ear.
“If they didn’t know where else to go, this was the place to start,” observes Kormann. “If I couldn’t help them, I would find the person who could.”
Kormann’s history with the school actually begins with her second-grade year, when her family moved to the area. She graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1977. Also graduating that year was classmate and sweetheart Lonnie Kormann; the two married in 1978 and moved away for a time, but returned as they began having children. Their three sons are all NRHEG alumni: Bryan graduated in 2004, Justin in 2007 and Jonathan in 2009.
Kormann had been a stay-at-home mom, but when her youngest began attending kindergarten, she learned the school was looking for help supervising the playground. She volunteered on the days Jonathan was in school. “They needed help, I lived close by. It seemed like a good fit,” she recalls, saying she enjoyed playing kickball and watching kids entertain themselves on the playground equipment.
The next year she joined the staff as a paraprofessional, someone who attends class with students who have special needs and also works one-on-one with them to help them study and learn. She remembers being one of six paras working under teachers Beth Knudson and Stacy Stork, and all of them based out of a single classroom. The close quarters and the many demands of the job, she said, helped them become a tightly-knit group. “We all had each other’s backs,” she remembers. “Those ladies were definitely my work ‘family.’”
In 2012 when the position for the administrative assistant to the principal became open, Kormann applied. “Paul Cyr took a chance on me; I will be forever grateful,” she says of that first year. “I absolutely loved working in the office and with Paul,” she recalls.
Kormann has been in the office ever since.
“I have absolutely loved this job,” Kormann says. She mentions the variety of duties the job entails–everything from attendance and lunch count to working closely with the sports programs. But mostly, “It’s the people.”
“I will miss the entire, wonderful staff,” she says. “It takes very special people to want to work with kids every day.”
Among the things she will not miss, she mentions, are having to be at school by 7 a.m., even when there was a snowstorm. She is deeply grateful the pandemic is over, and of course hopes there will not be another. “Those years were awful for everybody,” she remembers. “For the teachers, the parents, and most of all, the students.”
Kormann takes special pleasure in having been able to be there and help in sometimes subtle ways. Thanks to her position, first as a paraprofessional and then in the office, she holds a warm place in her heart for the members of the class of 2018, whose company she kept from the time they were kindergarteners until their graduation.
She says she always enjoyed the fun and variety of dress-up days and special events such as homecoming, snow week and prom.
She will always remember some of the traditions that popped up across the year–for example when military recruiters would come to the school, they would challenge students to do pull-ups in the hallway next to the cafeteria.
She says she has been continually grateful for the community’s engagement with the school–attendance at games, concerts and performances. During years when the wrestling team and the girls’ basketball team went to state, she remembers the school needed six or seven buses for all the people interested in being there.
Her favorite day of the year “was always the first day of school,” she says emphatically. “I loved the fresh energy, the excitement, the anticipation, the new students moving wide-eyed from place to place.
“Everybody’s in a good mood,” she says, smiling.
Her second-most favorite has been the last day of school when, yet again, the mood is positive and the air is filled with anticipation–this time for the summer ahead.
Of NRHEG’s students, Kormann says, “Most of them have woven themselves right into my heart.” She tells the story of being at a post-season basketball game taking place in another community. “There was a gentleman supporting the opposing team sitting kitty-corner behind us,” she recalls. “He asked whether one of the kids on the floor was mine.
“I told him they all were, and I meant it.”
In fact, seeing the students every day is what she says she will miss most. “It was such a privilege to watch them grow, mature, and learn,” she says. “It will be hard not being a part of that anymore.”
She says she hopes she is remembered as having been a good listener, someone to rely on, and a calming influence. “I didn’t want to be the scary office lady,” she jokes. “I wanted kids to always know they could trust me.”
Kormann has already spent a few days mentoring Nikki Cromwell, who has been hired to be next year’s administrative assistant to the principal. She also expects to be in the school a few days next fall as Cromwell continues to learn the ropes.
Now that she has retired, Kormann says the plan is to take life a bit easier, including sleeping past 4:50 a.m. She and husband Lonnie plan to do some traveling and to spend more time with their grandchildren, Emma, 11; Owen, 5; Brooklyn, 3; and Jayce, 20 months.
“I want to read more books, take more walks, watch the birds, and putz in my yard,” she says. “Now I will have time to do it.”
$1/4 million raised
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At left, Geneva Cancer Run treasurer Jordan Carroll and Secretary Kristi Peterson. At center: Bikers preparing to prepare to ride. At right: Jake Jenson, DeeAee Randall,Andy Jensen.
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Beautiful weather accompanied nearly 100 riders at the thirteenth annual Geneva Cancer Run Saturday, June 8.
The ride began around 11 a.m. at the Geneva Bar and Grill. Riders left east on Highway 35 on their way to Kensett, Iowa. Awaiting them was a pulled pork lunch in the city park.
Their return route included stops in Carpenter, Iowa and Myrtle before returning to Geneva around 4 p.m.
Leading the ride was Captain Jake Jensen, who, with the help of his mother DeeAnn and brother Jake, started this annual ride in 2011 in honor of his best friend Matt Felt.
Matt lost his battle with cancer at the age of 26 in 2007.
Son of Doug and Sandy Felt, Matt was a Geneva native like many of those present on Saturday.
“Matt was a good friend to Jake,” DeeAnn said. “And all the kids in Geneva for that matter.”
The non-profit group, Geneva Cancer Run, began with the Matt Felt Memorial Ride in 2010 and organized a year later in 2011.
DeeAnn Randall serves as president with her sons Jake as the vice president and Andy as one of the nine board members.
Since the ride’s inception, more than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised and given back to local persons battling cancer. This year’s event was expected to raise about $20,000. The cost to ride Saturday was $10.
“We’re a cheap date at $10 a rider,” DeeAnn said before the departure. “Stay for the auction, that’s where we raise our money.
“We’re glad to do this for a long time,” DeeAnn concluded. “We want to help people in need, locally. If there’s a need, you try to fill it.”
Before their initial departure Jessica Tomshin, formerly Arndt, sang the national anthem.
“Then it’s kickstands up,” DeeAnn said over a loudspeaker.
For those wanting to attend next year, preparations are already underway DeeAnn assured.
CLASS OF '24 GRADUATES
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
They stood together for the final time.
One by one, they walked out into the world.
The 57 members of the NRHEG class of 2024 graduated Sunday afternoon in a packed high school gymnasium in New Richland.
Principal Grant Berg got the show rolling as he lightheartedly welcomed and thanked NRHEG board members, faculty, staff, parents, guardians, and all those who made graduation possible.
Berg said he wanted to keep the introduction short and sweet, and he did.
Berg introduced the NRHEG band, which played the traditional “last song together,” a composition played sometime during the seniors’ career, and one they selected as a favorite. This year’s choice was “Glorious” by composer Masa Fukada.
Class speakers Brenna Sommer, Jaylin Raab and Hallie Schultz, elected by their peers, addressed the group’s shared experiences in elementary grades, secondary school, and looking toward the future.
“Since that first day of kindergarten, through middle school, and even high school, we have had students move away, new students join us, and our class has adapted and developed in several ways,” Sommer said. “One of the things I love most about being a part of this class is how close we are and how many memories we will be taking with us as we part ways.
“We learned about kindness, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and responsibility among many others,” Sommer continued. “We were given the foundation to grow in who we are and who we could be. We gained support systems and relationships that will last a lifetime and carry us through any circumstance. So yes, the NRHEG elementary school provided us with the necessities to be successful in middle school and high school, and even beyond that. But the most important things it gave us were the friendships and memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives.”
Raab was the second speaker and talked about his personal transition to NRHEG from a large school during his eighth-grade year. He talked about the present, ‘today.’
“As you all may know, today is the day we graduate,” Raab said. “It's a day full of tears and joy as we walk across the stage and accomplish one of the biggest goals in life.
“This year has been filled with so many ups and downs and went by pretty fast,” he continued. “In junior high we all thought graduation was so far away, but here it is… We learned to grow connections with the staff at NRHEG, who followed us and watched us grow throughout all these years. And now we sit here as seniors, or as I should say, twelfth-graders. We really did it, guys.”
Raab talked about the difficult passing of classmate Samuel Houle.
“He (Samuel) brought smiles to our faces and was a very kind kid who always wanted to play chess. He was never shy and would always be the first one to raise his hand when the teacher asked a question, or would always volunteer to take the attendance list to Teri when there was a sub. He loved giving high fives to everyone he saw and always had a smile. Sam will never be forgotten. He taught us to always be the light in someone else's life because he brought so much light to those in our school. One thing to remember is never take things for granted; we don't know what tomorrow will bring.”
The final class speaker was Hallie Schultz.
“Throughout our time at NRHEG we all have found what we love and are good at,” Schultz said. “We often take for granted what we have. We take for granted the town we live in, the teachers who put countless hours into our education, and the people we have grown up with for the last 18 years.”
Schultz, too, had words to remember Samuel Houle.
“We are also sad that one classmate couldn’t be here with us today, Samuel. We learned how precious the time we have with one another is. He taught us how much light can be brought to this world from one soul. We truly do not know what we have until it’s gone.”
Schultz, who intends to become an architect, said the Architect of our lives has a plan for us all.
“Different decisions or choices we make build our story,” she concluded. “I would like to say thank you to my classmates for the last 13 years. I wouldn’t want to grow up or experience life up to this point with anyone else.
“I know many teachers can attest to this statement. The Class of 2024 is the best class to come from NRHEG. I love you all and for the final time of our high school career, Go Panthers!”
The band followed the student speakers with a rendition of “How to Train Your Dragon,” arranged by Sean O’Loughlin.
Tayler Schmidt and Daxter Lee led the parent appreciation statement, after which graduates came down off the stage and delivered flowers to the parent figures in their lives.
A rose and letter were then delivered to the family of Samuel Houle.
Following the parent appreciation, a compilation of videos and photos from the class of ‘24 was shared.
Berg introduced co-salutatorians Erin Peterson and McKenzie Mueller, each of whom had earned a grade point average of 3.99. Three co-valedictorians, Payton Bunn, Hallie Schultz and Brenna Summer, had all earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Short biographies of all five of these honored students appear in this week’s Star Eagle.
School board members Rich Mueller and Rick Schultz, alongside superintendent Michael Meihak, presented diplomas to the graduates.
When finished, Berg told graduates, "It's time,” and asked the graduates to stand and move the tassels on their caps.
“You are now officially graduated,” said Berg. “I want to congratulate all of the graduates and thank everyone for their attendance. I wish you all the best.”
Highest Honors
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‘I truly enjoyed my time at NRHEG’
Co-Valedictorian Hallie Schultz
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
NRHEG co-valedictorian Hallie Schultz, 18, is the daughter of Rick and Jackie Schultz of New Richland. She plans to attend Iowa State University next fall, and will be studying architecture.
During school, she has been a class officer on the student council, participated in DECA and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was selected for the National Honor Society, was part of the Captains’ Council, and played with the volleyball, basketball and golf teams.
In the community, she is a member of All Saints Catholic Church and has volunteered for “Celebrate Me Week,” Meals on Wheels, and Youth First. She has operated a fresh produce sweet corn stand.
Of being one of the three co-valedictorians, all of whom acquired 4.0 grade point averages across their high school careers, Schultz says, “I am honored to be valedictorian, especially alongside the two hardest workers I know.”
Schultz said her family is proud of her accomplishment. She said she is happy to please them in this way, given how much love and support they have always shown her.
Her advice to other students is “Try in everything! Be the best version of yourself in every class and activity you join.”
Schultz admits that, as she entered high school, she did not begin with a goal of being valedictorian, nor did she expect to achieve it. “There were always other students with better test scores than I had. I tried my hardest in every assignment and test. The long, extra hours I put in helped me be the best student I could be.
“I will miss all of the activities, friendships, teachers and community at NRHEG. I have received so much support and will always love this community.”
Among Schultz’s favorite memories was the homecoming celebration during her senior year. “The student council planned out every day, so it was fun to see everyone enjoy the events we chose. I loved hanging out with my friends and experiencing another ‘last’ with my classmates.
Schultz says her least favorite classes during high school were English.
On the other hand she loved math class and Spanish. Senora Joan Olson was one of her favorite teachers because, “She truly loves each one of her students and creates the best environment to learn in. We always felt very close, like a family.” Another favorite has been Onika Peterson: “She was both a coach and a teacher to me. She is one person I can trust the most; she is hard-working and I look up to how she presents herself both in and outside of school.”
As she moves forward with her education, Schultz says she is excited to become acquainted with the new lifestyle college will bring for her, and to all she will learn and do in college. In ten years, she pictures herself as an architect working for a firm which designs schools, hospitals or stadiums. “Over all,” she reflects, “I want to be a good person, be happy, and not be overly stressed.”
If she could travel back in time and give herself some advice as she began her freshman year, Schultz says she might say, “Stress is a good thing–in a way. It shows how much you care and want to do well. Work as hard as possible and set a good example for others.”
In closing, she reflects, “I truly enjoyed my time at NRHEG. I would not be who I am without my family, teachers and friends in this community. I always had someone to look up to. I hope I set a good example for the younger generations.”
Read the other speakers and stories in the June 6 Star Eagle!
Red Leaf Cafe turns 10 years old
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Friends and family gathered May 5, 2024 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of New Richland’s Red Leaf Cafe.
The celebration was small, the company plentiful. Cupcakes were handed out to each of the nearly 100 patrons who stopped to extend their congratulations.
“I can’t remember if our first day was busy or not,” owner Theresa Grubstad recalled. “But every day we come in, we have the support of the community.”
“The same guys have been coming in every morning for 10 years,” owner Dean Grubstad said. “If I’ve noticed anything, it's the customers. They are so much more than that. They’re like family and extended family.”
Dean listed a group of regulars too numerous to provide here.
“We’ve lost some [who have died],” Dean continued. “They will never be forgotten.”
Theresa said she and Dean “feel the love people have here.”
“You don’t get that at all [coming from a bigger city]. People would step on you there if they could,” Dean said.
The Grubstads’ gratitude for their local “family” continued.
“Every step of the way, Pam and Larry [Goering] have been there with us,” Theresa said. “It wasn’t, ‘If’ you need help, it was ‘when.’
“It was, ‘What can we do to help?”’
What does the future hold for the loving couple and their restaurant? Are they still excited to come to work?
“We’ve never been late,” Theresa answered, speculating that she and Dean are likely to “start retiring in about 10 years.”
The two described the affection and support they felt on Monday as “overwhelming.”