3/23/2005 – News
Volume 122, Number
Maddock dance team performs at Disney World
BY DUSTIN WOLF
A year ago Holly Kraft, Maddock High School math teacher, organized the Shining Stars Dance Team. Three weeks ago Miss Kraft and the Shining Stars went to Disney World to perform in front of a live audience. Two weeks ago
14 high school dancers arrived home to realize the magnitude of their accomplishments. "It’s not every day a local high school dance team performs at Disney World," said Miss Kraft.
"Hard work and dedication are what got us there," said Kraft. They spent a year fund-raising, practicing and performing to prepare for the event.
Dancers who performed were Shannon Schloss, Courtney Foss, Jillian Maddock, Brianna Yri, Jalissa Hovland, Michelle Olson, Kimberly Randle, Turi Hanson, Samantha Kaul, Danielle Rehling, Nicole Gefroh, Ashley Duren, Anne Backstrom and Trish Simon. "We spent so much time together preparing, they nicknamed me Mama K," joked Kraft.
The day after they arrived in Orlando, the dancers were off to a workshop.
The workshop was led by actual Disney World dancers. "We learned some swing dance and that was super cool," added Trish Simon.
The following day was performance day. "Everyone was overwhelmed," said Kraft, "but they did a fabulous job; I am so proud of them all." The Disney World performance included seven dance numbers: Genie in a Bottle, Devil with a Blue Dress, Circle of Life, Mickey, Honey Theme, Captain Jack and a pompon routine. The dances were choreographed by Holly Kraft. "They consisted mostly of jazz, but I added some hip-hop and modern too," Kraft said. Stunts were also a part of each dance. "The girls were brave; they were willing to try every stunt I asked them to," said Kraft. The dances included everything from partner flips to double cartwheels. "The stunts are what make us shine," said Kraft.
Along with performing on a professional dance stage the girls also got to experience Disney World’s theme parks. Everyone rode the dreaded Hollywood Tower of Terror. "That was so scary," added a chaperone. The team experienced four theme parks and ate breakfast with Mickey Mouse. One of the dancers even asked Mickey to shake his booty. Maybe that’s something we don’t want to imagine, but it happened.
There’s no doubt the Shining Stars dazzled the crowd at Disney World as they were being dazzled themselves by the Magic Kingdom.
Members of the Shining Stars Dance Team of Maddock are shown with Mickey Mouse at Disney World. Left to right, standing, are Michelle Olson, Courtney Foss, Trish Simon, Ashley Duren, Mickey Mouse, Holly Kraft, Shannon Schloss, Danielle Rehling and Jillian Maddock. Kneeling in front are Briana Yri, Anne Backstrom, Turi Hanson, Jalissa Hovland, Nicole Gefroh, Samantha Kaul and Kimberly Randle. Their trip to Disney World was the culmination of a year of practice and fund-raising.
Esmond native coaches team to third state win in four years
BY RICHARD PETERSON
Reuben and Dorothy Brown of Esmond relived history recently when they once again witnessed the Limon (Colo.) Badgers claim the Colorado state Girls Class 2A Championship March 12 in Pueblo, Colo. This is the third time in the last four years the Limon team has won the championship and the Browns have witnessed all the victories. The team is coached by their son, Mark Brown, a 1977 graduate of Esmond High School.
His teams have an impressive record. Going into the state finals, the team had a perfect 23-0 record. The Badgers had an 81-7 record over the past four years before the state finals. "I don’t even think about it," coach Brown said of his team’s perfect season. "Maybe the girls talk about it amongst themselves, but I don’t hear them doing it."
This year’s Badgers team featured eight players who see extensive playing time. Seven girls led the team in scoring this season. The success of the team, Brown said, is a testament to a system that stresses tough defense, unselfish offense and interchangeable parts. "I’ve never emphasized the need to go to one player and this is who we need to go to every time down the floor," Brown said.
This year Reuben and Dorothy Brown were especially excited to witness their granddaughter, Amanda, play a major part in Limon’s victories. The 5’9"
Amanda, only a sophomore, led her team in the quarterfinals with 13 points in Limon’s victory over Nucla 61-37 on March 10. It was a relatively easy win. By halftime coach Brown (Amanda’s father) had played every member of his team. By the start of the fourth period, Brown’s entire starting five rested on the bench.
The semifinal game against Jefferson Academy March 11 was a tougher game, but the Badgers buried the Jaguars early with a stifling defense and a well-balanced offense. Six Badgers scored in the first quarter as Limon put together a 12-0 run. Amanda and junior Justine Sandersfeld took over in the second quarter, combining for 19 first half points. At the intermission Limon led 27-15.
In the third quarter the Badgers slowly pulled away, ending the quarter with a 15-point margin. Sandersfeld sat much of the second half with foul trouble and coach Brown rotated nine of the 12 players on his roster. The game ended with Limon victorious 53-41. Sandersfeld was high scorer with 16 points and Amanda Brown followed with 14 points.
The final game on March 12 between the Limon Badgers and the Las Animas Trojans was an exciting overtime nail-biter. Here’s how the Colorado Springs Gazette described the game:
Limon senior Sara Stone knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers from the top of the key in overtime to help lift the Badgers to a 58-54 victory over Las Animas in the Class 2A state championship game Saturday night at the Pueblo Events Center.
The Badgers trailed the entire game until sophomore Amanda Brown, daughter of coach Mark Brown, connected on consecutive 3-pointers with 1:47 left in regulation to give Limon a 48-47 advantage. The contest was tied entering overtime at 48-48.
Limon finished the season 26-0. The Badgers claimed the school’s third state basketball title in four years. They’ve won 94 of 101 games since the
2001-02 campaign. Las Animas finished 22-3.
"She’s been struggling," Mark Brown said of Stone. "But she’s very capable of hitting her shot for us and she came through when we needed her the most."
She’s been playing all four years for us and she played in the other state championship games and has a lot of experience."
Stone, who carried the state championship trophy ball after the game, said she had the confidence to take the shots in overtime.
"I just let it go and I had faith in my teammates to be there for the rebound if I missed it," Stone said. "This one feels the best."
Shayley Scherrer iced the game in the closing seconds with two free throws.
Limon trailed 29-19 at halftime. Justine Sandersfeld drew some early fouls but came on strong in the second half and finished with a team-high 16 points. Brown and Stone had 12 each.
"We had to keep our focus and know that we were still in the game,"
Sandersfeld said.
If you don’t think the entire Brown family was emotionally drained after that game, you haven’t been paying attention.
Can you imagine how formidable Amanda, our Esmond connection, is likely to be when she’s a senior?
Amanda was named to the Class 2A Girls All-Tourney Team, along with teammate Justine Sandersfeld.
Prior to the tournament Reuben and Dorothy went to Phoenix to spend two weeks with her sister, Karen (Leier) Sage. When it was about tournament time they boarded a bus to Limon. Their daughter, Jerrilyn Coughlan of Valley City met them there. All drove about 100 miles southwest to Pueblo, where the tournament was played. After the tournament all returned to Mark’s home in Limon prior to coming home with Jerrilyn.
Wanna make a bet on where Reuben and Dorothy Brown will be the second weekend in March of 2006?
Esmond native Mark Brown coached his Limon (Colo.) Badgers to their third state championship in four years in Class 2A girls basketball March 12. He is shown here with his daughter, Amanda, who played a major role in the team’s victory. Mark’s parents, Reuben and Dorothy Brown of Esmond are justifiably proud of the achievements of their son and granddaughter.
Students of quarter
The Leeds High School announces its students of the quarter for the third quarter of the 2004-2005 school year. Students were selected for this honor based on their academic performance, cooperation, personal behavior, attendance, responsibility and school spirit. Left to right, back row, are sophomore Kendall Boyles, daughter of Gary and Cindy Hickman; junior Ashley Smith, daughter of Kevin Smith and Cindy Smith; and senior Amanda Luhman, daughter of Michael and Valorie Luhman. Front row: freshman Lindsay Anderson, daughter of Greg and Karen Anderson; eighth grader Josh Owens, grandson of Gywene Owens; and seventh grader Abigail Brossart, daughter of Ronnie and Rita Brossart.
Oberon class reunion
Members of the Oberon High School class of 1955 gathered in Mesa, Ariz.
March 5 for a 50th anniversary reunion. Left to right, front row, are Jim Woodrow and Marlys (Knutson) Boschee. Standing are John Geston, Ron Alfstad and John Graham.
Oberonites gather
Twenty-nine people with Oberon connections gathered in Mesa, Ariz. March 5 for a potluck reunion. Bronald Thompson, 93, was a special guest. Left to right, front row, are Bryan (Orville Compton’s son), Clay, Katy and Qwen Compton. Second row: John Geston, John Graham, Jean (Roberts) Olson, Jim Woodrow, Marge Woodrow and Helen Schmid. Third row: Patti Graham, Marlys
(Knutson) Boschee, Ron Alfstad, Marlene (Roberts) Miller, Don Knutson, Craig Poulsen, Sandra Poulsen, Howard Schmid, Suzanne Schmid and Ed Schmid.
Not pictured are Bronald Thompson, Myrna (Thompson) Engle, Judy (Thompson) Koppelman, Loren Koppelman, Kristin Koppelman, Carolyn Geston, Ingrid Alfstad and Floyd Boschee.
Elected queen
The Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford held a St. Patrick’s Day party on March 17. Former Benson County resident Charlotte Loken was crowned queen for the day. Paul Koenig was crowned king.
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Zietz to sing in all-state choir
Bryce Zietz, a junior at Leeds High School, was selected to participate in the ND All-State Mixed Choir. He is the son of Betty Anderson of Leeds.
Hundreds of students from both Class A and B schools in the state compete by live audition for band, orchestra, mixed chorus and women’s chorus.
Those selected practiced March 20-22 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks and performed in a concert March 22.
Spelling winners
The Benson County Spelling Bee was held Feb. 26 at the Minnewaukan School under the direction of Jean Olson, Benson County Superintendent of Schools.
Eighth grader Adam LaRoque of Minnewaukan, left, was the champion.
Runner-up was sixth grader Matthew Swanson of Leeds, right. Both will represent Benson County in the State Spelling Bee in Bismarck March 24.
Trophies are furnished by the Benson County Farmers Press.
Spelling bee winners
The finalists in the Benson County Spelling Bee are pictured. Left to right, front row, are 7th grader Derek Engh of Maddock and 6th graders Logan Gunderson of Leeds, Matthew Swanson of Leeds and Ben Backstrom of Maddock. Back row: 8th graders Kayla Bingham of Leeds, Andy Backstrom of Maddock and Adam LaRoque of Minnewaukan and 7th grader John Sears of Maddock. Pronouncers at the event were Angela Walen, Corrine Risovi, Rose Klatt, Diane Peyerl, Penny Leier and Jeff Walen.
The top 8th grade participants were, left to right, Andy Backstrom of Maddock, first; Adam LaRoque of Minnewaukan, second; Kayla Bingham of Leeds, third; and Beth Beecroft of Minnewaukan, fourth. Judges were Tami Bisbee, Annie Schmid, Travis Risovi, Janel McGarvey, Donna Grann, Doris Randle, Laura Every, Amy Grotte, Carol Leibfried, Mary Feist, Perky Backstrom, Jerry Sears, Cindy Swanson and Shannon Lauinger.
The top 7th grade participants were, left to right, Derek Engh of Maddock, first; John Sears of Maddock, second; Cody LaRoque of Minnewaukan, third; Cody Greywater of Oberon, fifth; and Kylee Rallo of Minnewaukan, sixth. Not pictured is fourth place winner Sadie Vallier of Leeds. Ida Robertson was refreshment server.
The top 6th grade contestants were, left to right, Logan Gunderson of Leeds, first; Matthew Swanson of Leeds, second; Ben Backstrom of Maddock, third; Kayla Lauinger of Maddock, fourth; and Chandra Anderson of Minnewaukan, sixth. Not pictured is fifth place winner Stevie Bull of Four Winds.
The top 5th grade contestants were, left to right, Christina Cloud of Minnewaukan, first; Kendra Leibfried of Leeds, second; Ashley Wood of Leeds, third; James Johnson of Maddock, fourth; and Daniel Bellanger of Minnewaukan, fifth. Not pictured is sixth place winner Latisha Longie of Four Winds.
The top 4th grade participants were, left to right, Katherine Sears of Maddock, first; Danacia Greywater of Four Winds, second; Sara Schwanke of Maddock, third; McKenzie Silliman of Leeds, fourth; and Jordan Every of Minnewaukan, fifth. Not pictured are sixth place tie winners Kayla Matlock of Leeds and Eddie Alcalan of Four Winds.
The top 3rd grade participants were, left to right, Lacey Grann of Minnewaukan, first; Shelby Jorgenson of Leeds, second; Shelby Brandvold of Maddock, third; Joseph Clinton of Maddock, fourth; Ashton Matheny of Four Winds, fifth; and Damien Greywater of Oberon, sixth.
The top 2nd grade contestants were, left to right, Maria Sears of Maddock, first; Quentin Sears of Maddock, second; Julissa McGarvey of Leeds, third; Andrea Jorgenson of Leeds, sixth; and Dawndra Greywater of Four Winds, fifth. Not pictured is fourth place winner Virginia Fassett of Warwick.
The top 1st grade contestants were, left to right, Nora Duren of Maddock, first; Tesa Sherman of Minnewaukan, second; Ethan Karlsbraaten of Maddock, third; Dusti Greywater of Oberon, fourth; Brandon Cartier of Minnewaukan, fifth; and Nikara Nelsen of Leeds, sixth. Brenda Silliman was the photographer.