Build it back better

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Created: 19 October 2023

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By MARK DOMEIER

Columnist

Months long construction nearly complete

When Jeff Reese was varsity baseball coach at NRHEG, you could count on two things: a competitive baseball team and a picture-perfect ball diamond. It was not uncommon to see Reese out working on the field at any time of the year. In fact, he used to joke that his wife Carol always knew where to find him.

However, since Reese stepped down some years back, the field which is now named after him and his late wife has fallen into disrepair. Weeds encroached on the cut areas of the infield, the pitching mound was deteriorating, and the playing surface became uneven, causing strange bounces and ricochets from hit baseballs.

In addition, the backstop fence was getting to a point where safety would soon not allow play to continue. Plus, the third base dugout and the bullpens on both sides also had fencing issues, as well as stability concerns.

Toupence, man of many hats

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Created: 12 October 2023

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By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

“I have been nothing but welcomed,” enthuses NRHEG’s teaching and learning coordinator (TLC) Jason Toupence. “I am loving the environment I work in and the people I work with.”

Precisely what that work is, Toupence warns, is hard to nail down. “A teaching and learning coordinator wears many hats,” he begins.

For one thing, the “teaching” he coordinates is for both staff and students, as is the “learning.”

On the one hand, Toupence provides assistance to teachers who are looking for classroom materials–everything from sets of worksheets or classroom “manipulatives” to a textbook “curriculum” which guides student learning across a number of grades.

On the other hand, he works with the “staff development” program which brings in speakers and training opportunities meant to help school staff members expand their skills and keep teachers’ licenses up to date.

Teacher serves as ‘surrogate’ mother

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Created: 12 October 2023

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By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

“I think the takeaway is that we all have the opportunity to get creative in the opportunities we have to be kind,” says Liz Stiernagle, guidance counselor for the past five years at NRHEG secondary. “The world is a hard enough place; I believe each of us should find our own way to give to others.”

As acts of kindness go, some might view Stiernagle’s as somewhat over the top: she served as a “gestational carrier”--what some might call a “surrogate mother”--by carrying and delivering a baby for a Twin Cities couple. The baby, a girl, was born this past August.

Stiernagle, 32, has been married to husband Matt for eight years. They have two children, Kinley, 3, and Everson, 5. As a couple, they had decided they did not wish to raise any more than two children.

“I know of some couples who were unable to have children,” Stiernagle says, “and I’ve seen what heartbreak that can cause.

“One day I started to wonder whether there was anything I could do to help.”

Parade, football win highlights week

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Created: 12 October 2023

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By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

NRHEG Homecoming week 2023 concluded last week with a week full of activities, themed dress up days, coronation, and parades coming to a close Friday.

Monday evening, William Tuttle, son of Thaddeus and Jessica Tuttle, alongside Hallie Schultz, daughter of Rick and Jackie Schultz, were crowned King and Queen.

Serving as the night’s Emcee’s were Tayler Schmidt, Elsie Schultz and Levin Kitzer.

Together the homecoming candidates were introduced, along with a list of their activities, which will follow at the end of this article.