Highest Honors

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Created: 14 June 2024

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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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Created: 07 June 2024

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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.”

CLASS OF '24 GRADUATES

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Created: 11 June 2024

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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.”

 

Ferber honored; grateful for suprise sendoff

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Created: 07 June 2024

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NRHEG Head Track coach of 34 years, Duey Ferber, was celebrated during the final home track meet of his career Thursday evening in New Richland. Unbeknownst to him, more than 100 alumni, friends and family streamed onto the track to honor his tenure with the district.                       

By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

In 34 years, NRHEG track and field coach Duey Ferber, 58, has racked up nearly as many awards as he has memories.

One more memory, a big one, was tacked on the board last week.

It may come as a surprise to some, but the longest tenured coach in NRHEG school history is hanging up his whistle at the end of this season.

Nearing the end of the final home track meet of Ferber’s career Thursday evening in New Richland, with the hurdle events completed, the voice of Jay Crabtree, a longtime former assistant coach, came over the loudspeaker.

As Crabtree recounted three decades of accomplishments, dozens of alumni, friends, family and students streamed onto the track to acknowledge, honor and celebrate Ferber’s tenured career.

“I literally didn’t have a clue,” Ferber said. “I thought Jay was being Jay and wanted to say some nice things about me. But when he asked those kids to come down… I kept asking them to help with hurdles, but they didn’t and I thought that was weird. But then when he stopped the meet and they all came out, I was overwhelmed.

“That killed me,” Ferber continued. “My whole family was there. That made it extremely special.”

Ferber credits Jessica Bouwers and Kim Schlaak as the architects of the plan. Ferber reached out through Facebook to try and get former alumni to come and work the final meet. He garnered few responses. Little did he know, there was a separate Facebook group setting this all up.

Ferber was surprised with posters, pictures, a gift, a card signed by the entire team, and many, many hugs and tears.

After the celebration and the conclusion of the evening's meet, it took more than two hours of conversations and the setting sun, before Ferber and company finally called it a night.

“I couldn’t imagine it being any more perfect,” Ferber said. “That was a nice ending.”

What’s next for NRHEG track and field?

“I want it to continue to be a strong program,” Ferber said. “Where everybody finds something to do. Everybody has an event. I just want it to continue on and be… Like I always tell the kids, I want us to be the team when our bus pulls up, I want the other teams to say ‘oh crap, NRHEG is here. We’re all fighting for second place.’”

This season, however, isn’t quite over.

Sub-sections are Thursday, May 23, followed by sections June 1 at Mankato East and finally the state meet at St. Michael-Albertville on June 6 and 7.

“I hope to get 15 onto sections and I’d like to see three get to state,” Ferber said. “I think that’s realistic.

“I say it to my seniors, everybody leaves me,” Ferber concluded. “It’s me this time. That’s the way I feel. It’s time to hand the baton to someone else. Keep it rolling.”