Volume 53 Number 2 Brandon Valley High School - Brandon, SD 57005 Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

The Dancersfirst

at state /page 4

By Amy VardsveenStaff Writer

Math instructor Allen Hogie received South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year Award at a recognition banquet in Pierre Oct. 16.

“Being chosen from a group of peers who are doing wonderful things in their classrooms and for their students is just incredible,” Hogie said. “I have been blessed to work in an outstanding school district that holds students to high standards and a community that supports teachers and education in general.”

Hogie received $8,000 in cash prizes, a $6,700 technology package, a $220 retail gift card and a vehicle during his year as Teacher of the Year. Hogie will now represent South Dakota as a candidate for the National Teacher

of the Year Award, which will be announced in Washington, D.C., in April 2015.

“I feel proud of my accomplishments as an educator and the role I may have played in

helping students pursue a passion of their own,” Hogie said.

Other honors Hogie has

received are the National Board Certification in 2006, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 2008, district Teacher of the Year in 2013, and South Dakota Region 2 Teacher of the Year in 2015.

“He has done so many things here and across the state for our math department,” Dr. Gregg Talcott said.

Hogie is a National Board certified teacher, a South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics liaison, math department chair and a Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics member.

“The one goal that I am a little bit afraid of,” Hogie said, “is I just want to make sure I articulate my point of view clearly and concisely and represent South Dakota’s teachers in a good fashion.”

Hogie named Teacher of Year

Math instructors celebrate with instructor Allen Hogie (center) for becoming South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year. They are Emily Carroll, Tammy Bailey, Jacob Shoup and Kraig Presler.

Photo by Amy Vardsveen

AP bio attends lectures

Smart Music used as digital conductor

Celebrate My Drive sweeps community

Photo by Jacob Boomsma

Sophomore Andrea Poole takes a playing test on Smart Music. Orchestra plans to incorporate Smart Music as a more accurate grading tool.

Photo by Haley Hoeke

Senior student council members Savannah Garrow and Karly Neuberger show their Celebrate My Drive T-shirts. The students organized the school wide lip dub incorporating the campaign and songs by The Band Perry.

By Samantha PetersonStaff Writer

AP bio students are offered an extra credit opportunity by attending a lecture at Sanford Research Center once a month.

“The Sanford Research Talks introduce students to the practices of research institutions and universities,” AP biology instructor Justin Lovrien said.

Lovrien said this opportunity is important because students hear the details of where funding comes from for these projects, how long researchers are involved with the projects and the teamwork involved in

succeeding in modern science.Biology Club has six students working

on independent research. At least four of the students shadow researchers.

Senior Billy Trevillian, who is working on algae capable of producing a bio fuel, won the Sanford Promise Scholarship from the Sanford Research Center.

Senior Seth Lauseng is working on ethylene and its effects on fruit ripening. Senior Dylan Kipp is researching the potential use of lasers to kill glass anemones in marine aquariums.

The next lecture is Nov. 13.

By Estel Niyotwizera Voices Editor

Smart Music, an award-winning soft-ware that receives music on an online database, is used as a digital music conduc-tor by band and orches-tra directors Shelly Berg, Jesse Miller and chorus director Terry Gullickson.

The program pro-vides students with a professional accompa-niment, giving them a pitch and a rhythmic overtone. A wide va-riety of music books are easily acces-sible online. According to smartmusic.com, it is more accurate than the human ear. It listens, processes and provides feedback designed to assist students at a faster pace.

“I think Smart Music is a great tool for musicians,” sophomore Andrea

Poole said.Convenient, active and always on

cue, it allows students to receive one-on-one, individualized lessons.

“The program gives students a great opportunity to incorporate technology,” Miller said.

By Becca GothA&E Editor

State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive campaign swept through the community Oct. 15 to Oct. 25.

“It’s about having fun and getting as much of the community involved as possible,” Dr. Gregg Talcott said.

Students, faculty, parents and community members committed to safe driving by entering their email and choosing safe driving tactics.

The schools with the most votes in the nation will receive either a $100,000 grant and a concert from The Band Perry, a $100,000 grant or a $25,000 grant. Ten percent of the grant will go to safe driving education, 20 percent will go to the Brandon Area Food Pantry, and 20 percent to the elementary and middle schools, leaving the high school with the remaining 40 percent. Brandon Valley held second place for a

majority of the campaign, ending in first Thursday the night before.

Talcott said that the proceeds will go towards activities that are accessible by the entire student body. The winner will not be announced until November 14.

State Farm Agent Bill Thompson supported the school throughout the campaign. He donated thousands of Celebrate My Drive flyers, T-shirts and posters. Thompson also hosted a voting tent during a football game.

Local television stations KSFY and Keloland ran multiple stories about the school’s involvement in the campaign, asking communities to support BV.

Senior student council members Karly Neuberger and Savannah Garrow organized another school-wide lip dub to The Band Perry songs in order to grab the community’s attention. KSFY and KELO also reported on the video.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

Celebrate My Drive promotes safe driving, community involvement

What do you think

about Celebrate My Drive?

Students across the globe travel for new experiences

Echo editors encourage readers to submit letters to the editor, which must be signed. They may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel. They should be addressed to the Echo editors or dropped off in the publications room, 120.

Dig Pink NightFall sports titles Hogie honored

The Echo is published monthly by the publications students of the Brandon Valley High School, 301 S. Splitrock, Brandon, S.D. 57005. Telephone number is 582-3211. It is a state and national award-winning publication affiliated with the South Dakota High School Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. News Editor..........................................................................Umaima KochVoices Editor ...................................................................Estel NiyotwizeraA&E Editor ...............................................................................Becca GothSports Editors ..........................................Dylan Bludorn and Haley HoekeUpdate Editors .................................................................. Shelby SimpsonPhoto Editors......................................................................Jacob BoomsmaAd Manager ..............................................................................Becca GothCirculation Manager ................................... .......................Kristen PaulsenAdviser ........................................................................Debra RothenbergerStaff Writers........................Halle Doe, Samantha Peterson, Amy Vardsveen, Sean McEachran, Macy Murren, Jessica Andreasen, Eli Suchowacky.Brandon Valley Echo is a public forum. The editorial content of the Echo expresses the views of the newspaper and not necessarily of the administration, faculty or school board of the Brandon Valley School District. Bylined editorial content is the writer’s opinion and not necessarily of the staff, adviser or school administration. Signed letters to the editor are encouraged, but they may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel.

“It’s a good way for people to learn to be safe drivers. Also, Dr. Talcott is going to let us spend the money on fun.”

–SeniorGideon Crapser

“It’s fun, and I’m excited for The Band Perry concert if we win.”

–FreshmanMadison Stamp

“It’s exciting because we will maybe be able to take a trip to Worlds of Fun.”

–FreshmanMicah Holtz

“It’s a good idea because the money is going to a good cause and we get to use some for fun.”

–SophomoreBrooke Top

“I think it’s cool because we can win a concert and money.”

–SophomoreJacob Bentson

“It would be cool if we win the concert, but I don’t know if we will; just the money would be fine.”

–JuniorPete Sternburg

By Becca GothA&E Editor

The gap year, increasing in worldwide popularity, has students who are taking more years and summers off than ever before, by traveling and growing from experiences.

So, what is a gap exactly? A gap can be whatever one wants it to be; a few summer months to travel to Europe or Asia, or a semester spent studying abroad.

Felix’s Regelsberger, 23, of Vienna, Austria, is tak-ing his gap year to tour the Americas from Montreal, Canada, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a stu-dent at BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, who is studying civil-en-vironmental engineering.

Felix’ unique choice of transportation is the unicycle.

“Not many people here have seen a unicyclist and it brings joy to them,” he said when I first met him earlier this month, “My friends joke and call my travel the smile raising tour.”

Flelix said this is important to him because he is learning about the world and those who live in it more and more every day.

“I have even learned quite a bit about myself also, my travel is very fun and a good time.”

Teresa Tomiczek, 16, of Nuess, Germany, took a gap year through an exchange student program.

“During my time in the Americas I met some friends that I will have for the rest of my life,” she said. “I had the opportunity to meet with other students from around the world, and I had a very good time doing it. It also opened many doors for me.”

Both Teresa and Felix were

guests in my home for a time.

“I love to travel. I’ve been all over Europe and to a lot of America now,” said Teresa, who had been traveling around the world since she was 11. “The most important things I’ve learned come from the people I’ve met and their lives and stories.”

Felix told stories about his girlfriend, who is a juggler, and his experiences in America. He also said how people in the Midwest are nice, offering him a place to stay as my family did, or giving him a jacket because it was snowing.

Travel is something not many of us experience. I am fortunate enough to have parents who love to travel and encourage me to do the same; however, some students have not even been outside of South Dakota. They would probably agree with Felix in that when

people travel, they learn about others as well as themselves.

High school is a time when we students try to find who we are and what we believe in and travel is a great way to do that. When we travel, we become independent by buying our own bus tickets and food, staying in hostels instead of family hotels and supporting ourselves like our parents had supported us.

Austrian Felix Regelsberger cycles through Carpenter. Regelsberger travels with only three bags: one for camp gear, one for clothing and one for food.

Photo by Becca Goth

Thumbs up to the golf, tennis, soccer, dance and cross country

teams for their ESD, Metro and state titles. Golfers won the first boys golf title in school history. Girls

tennis team and the dance team both won ESD championships and the girls cross country won the Metro for the first time and placed third at state.

Thumbs up to the volleyball teams for sponsoring Dig Pink

Night last Friday. Volleyball players raised $1,832.70. Dig Pink has been going on for five years and

will continue to bring support and awareness to the women fighting breast cancer.

Thumbs up to math instructor Al Hogie for receiving the South

Dakota’s Teacher of the Year Award. He will now represent South Dakota for the National Teacher of

the Year Award, which will be announced in Washington, D.C., in April 2015.

Celebrate My Drive is a way for the students to come together, involve the community and spread the word about safe driving.

Prizes are given to the top 90 schools nation wide, and Dr. Gregg Talcott is in it for the win. If Brandon Valley wins $100,000 and The Band Perry concert, he plans to hold the concert at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls and to allocate money to not only the high school but also the district’s other schools and the Brandon Food Pantry. About 40 percent of the money will go to the high school for “fun.”

“It needs to be something that all the students can access,” Talcott said. “It needs to be something that all the students would want to do and something that is feasible.”

State Farm agent Bill Thompson of Brandon and Sioux Falls assisted Brandon Valley’s opportunities to win by donating 2,500 flyers and holding tent events at the football game to promote the voting of all community members.

Although we do not have access to see how many community members voted compared to students, we do know they did because of the number of votes for us to place first on the second-to-the-last day of voting.

This campaign is so much more than just about texting and driving. It is more about community involvement for safe driving in general and building culture for the school to come together to do something worth while.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

World Series provides greatperformances

Senior sports spotlights

By Macy MurrenStaff Writer

Girls tennis team won the Eastern South Dakota Conference title for the first time ever and placed sixth at state.

“One of our goals this year was to win ESD,” junior Hanna Mutschelknaus said. “So it was really cool knowing we met a goal that we had been working so hard for.”

Varsity team members included seniors Logan Hawkins, Makenzie

Marso; juniors Jessica Sadler, Marie Schmitz, Mutschelknaus; sophomores Chandler Harstad and Emily Konz. Chris Dummermuth and Katie Price coached the team.

“Our girls set individual and team goals this year, and we used them to guide our focus throughout the season,” Price said. “Because of their willingness to push themselves, they ended the season playing stronger then ever.”

At state in singles Sadler placed

Tennis team wins ESD, places sixth at state

Riley FrantzenSport: FootballFavorite athlete of all time: Brett FavreWhat do you see yourself being in the future? Something in the medical fieldWhat is your favorite thing to do on your day off of practice? Hang out with friendsIn the movie about your life who would play you? Jacob FrantzenIf you weren’t in sports, what else in the school would you participate in? BandFavorite sports moment: Brett Favre’s performance after his dad diedFavorite sports team: Green Bay Packers

Ashley WestcottSport: DanceFavorite athlete of all time: Stacey TookeyWhat do you see yourself being in the future? KinesiologistWhat is your favorite thing to do on your day off of practice? Hang with friendsIn the movie about your life, who would play you: Emma StoneIf you weren’t in sports, what else in the school would you participate in? Art ClubFavorite sports moment: Performing at a cancer benefitFavorite sports team: Denver Broncos

Emily Anderson Sport: VolleyballFavorite athlete of all time: Michael JordanWhat do you see yourself being in the future? NurseWhat is you favorite thing to do on your day off of practice? Hang at homeIn the movie about your life, who would play you? Jennifer LawrenceIf you weren’t in sports, what else in the school would you participate in? TheatreFavorite sports moment: Making a full court shotFavorite sports team: New English Patriots

Cody DutsonSport: Cross countryWhat do you see yourself doing in the future? E.M.T.What is your favorite thing to do on your day off of practice? Train my dogsFavorite athlete of all time: Roger BannisterIf you weren’t in sports, what else in the school would you participate in? TheatreFavorite sports moment: Completing my first marathonFavorite sports team: Indianapolis Colts

seventh in Flight 1, Marso, sixth in Flight 2; Mutschelknaus, fifth in Flight 3; Schmitz, seventh in Flight 4; Hawkins, ninth in Flight 5; and Harstad, seventh in Flight 6.

In doubles Sadler and Mutschelknaus placed 10th in Flight 1; Marso and Schmitz, seventh in Flight 2; and Hawkins and Konz, seventh in Flight 3.

“For state, I was really happy with how we placed,” Mutschelknaus said. “Our goal was top five, so we

just missed it.” All-Conference members

included Marso in doubles, Hawkins in doubles, Sadler in singles and doubles, Mutschelknaus in singles and doubles, Schmitz in singles and doubles and Konz in doubles.

“I was incredibly proud of the work our girls put in this year,” Price said. “They wanted to end the year better than ever, and they played some of their best tennis when it mattered most.“

Photos by Jacob Boomsma

Senior Savannah Garrow (above) cheers at the Metro competition. Dance team (top left) also performs its jazz routine at the Metro competition. The dance team placed first at state.

Dancers win State AA title

Cross country finishes third, fifth at state meetBy Haley HoekeSports Editor

Girls cross country team placed third and the boys fifth at the State AA meet in Huron Saturday.

The girls team placed third with three middle schoolers and four high schoolers in the top 40. Freshman Courtney Klatt was at

the top of the Lynx pack by placing fifth; eighth grader Danica Kocer, 16th; eighth grader Lauren Wells, 21st; freshman Mikaela Birath, 25th; freshman Haylee Waterfall, 29th; junior Jaidon Birath, 37th; and eighth grader Allison Rief, 38th.

The boys team placed fifth with four runners in the top 40.

Sophomore Jakob Hanna led the Lynx by placing 16th; junior Jacob Hegland, 28th; senior Cody Dutson, 33rd; and senior Mitchell Selken, 34th.

“I am sad I didn’t win,” Selken said. “I won’t get another chance to do so in cross country.”

At the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet Oct. 11, the

girls placed first with five athletes in the top 15. Klatt led by placing sixth; Wells, seventh; Kocer, 10th; Waterfall, 11th; and Mikaela Birath, 14th.

The boys team also placed first with four runners in the top 10. Hegland placed third; Hanna, fifth; Selken, sixth; and Dutson, ninth.

By Shelby Simpson Update Editor

Dance team captured a State AA title and another Eastern South Dakota Conference championship title.

“We prepared for state by practicing hard, staying focused and encouraging each other to do our very best,” senior Kendra Riley said.

At the state competition last Saturday in Watertown, the team placed first in jazz with a score of 298.0, in kick with a 296.0 and in pom with a 298.5. The team’s

average was 297.5, which gave them the Grand Champion title.

“I was extremely ecstatic with our scores,” senior dancer Ashley Westcott said. “We could hardly believe our name was called first, but our entire team was overtaken with happiness and fulfillment.”

At the ESD Conference the girls placed first in every division they competed in: kick, pom and jazz. They also placed first overall by beating the second place team, Huron, by 20 points.

“Being a three-time ESD

champ feels great,” Riley said. “It is good to know we are improving and setting a good impression for younger dancers who are learning what it means to be on a team.”

Cheer team placed fifth at ESD. At state the cheer team placed

sixth overall in Grand Champion with 234.5 points.

“It is a sad time yet happy,” sophomore cheerleader Macy Clark said. “It’s sad to see that it’s our seniors last year, but exciting because as a sophomore it means a lot to see how far we have improved.”

By Dylan BludornSports Editor

Major League Baseball World Series, nicknamed The Fall Classic, featuring the Kansas City Royals representing the American League and the San Francisco Giants representing the National League, featured with a plethora of signature performances.

Led by the bullpen, the Royals prepared for either the Giants, whom the Royals had a perfect 3-0 record against during the regular season, or the St. Louis Cardinals, whom they were 3-1 against. The bullpen also had an incredible performance in the American League Championship Series, going 3-0 with two earned runs in 16 innings. They also maintained a 1.13 ERA in the series. They are the second team to have at least three wins and an ERA that low in an LCS.

Opposing the Royals in the World Series is the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are seeking their third World Series title in five years.

San Francisco is led by ace starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner was named the NLCS MVP after the lefty pitched eight solid innings in Game 5. The Giants went on to win the game 6-3 over the Cardinals on a walk-off three run home run by Travis Ishikawa in the bottom of the ninth.

Bumgarner, along with All-Star third baseman Pablo Sandoval, has been a part of all three World Series appearances the last five years.

Sandoval in 2012 was most known for becoming the fourth player in history to hit three home runs in a World Series game. Of the four, Sandoval was the only one to homer in his first three at bats of the game.

Also in 2012, Sandoval became the 10th player to hit two or more home runs in the first game of the World Series. He had an RBI in six straight postseason games, breaking the record for longest streak that was previously held by Giants legend Barry Bonds.

Pitching has seemed to be the biggest factor for the World Series thus far. In Game 1, a highly anticipated pitcher’s duel, Bumgarner stole the show pitching a shutout into the seventh inning.

In Game 3 Royals rookie relief pitcher Brandon Finnegan became the first-ever player to pitch in the College World Series and the World Series in the same year.

“This is insane,” Finnegan said, according to espn.go.com. “College World Series, there’s a lot of people there, but they’re not there to just cheer on your team. It’s nice and loud but the crowds here are here for one team and one team only.”

In Game 5 Bumgarner, the southpaw, threw a four-hit shutout. Bumgarner was 4-0 in World Series starts with an ERA of .29. Also, he gave up only 12 hits in 31 innings, along with 27 strikeouts. Bumgarner was easily the frontrunner for the World Series MVP if the Giants won the World Series.

Results were unavailable at press time.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

Golfers win state championship

Photo by Jacob Boomsma

Being recognized for their state championship are golfers Jackson Dziedzic, Carter Erickson, Riley Duncanson, Alex Hamer, Greg Koehn and Taylor Fjerestad. Their coaches are Todd Geerdes and Scott Carroll.

Nachreiner, team compete in playoffs

Senior quarterback Jake Comeaux hands off the football to senior runningback Riley Frantzen for a run in the Lynx’s last regular season game against Harrisburg. The Lynx won 34-8, bringing their overall record to 6-2 and their overall ranking to third.

Photo by Umaima Koch

Volleyball to compete at district playins

Photo by Macy Murren

During the game against Aberdeen Central, junior Hannah Paauw spikes the ball. The volleyball team will be playing in the district playins Monday.

By Estel NiyotwizeraVoices Editor

With a score of 607, the boys golf team, for the first time in Brandon Valley’s history, won the State AA Tournament.

“What motivated us as a team was the Argus Leader saying that we weren’t a top team and not a contender for the tournament,” said senior Alex Hamer, who placed first. “It made us mad and we went out and showed them that we were.”

For coach Scott Carroll, coaching a winning team was quite an accomplishment.

“Not too many people get to say they won a state championship,” he said. “I am very excited to do it with a great group of kids that

deserve it.” Even though the team finished

strong, getting started wasn’t easy.

“We got a little stretch where we weren’t playing our best golf,” Carroll said. “We just kept battling, practicing and staying focused on our goals for the year.”

Senior Riley Duncanson placed second place with a score of 144.

The other golfers were seniors Greg Koehn, Carter Erickson; juniors Taylor Fjerestad and Jackson Dziedzic.

“It feels really good to win state,” Hamer said. “It meant a lot bringing Brandon Valley a state championship back home.”

By Kristen PaulsenCirculation Manager

After losing Tuesday against O’Gorman 3-1, the volleyball team is set for district playins Monday.

Junior Hannah Paauw had 13 kills and sophomore Elsie Zajicek had eight. Junior Taylor Torson had 19 digs and senior Maddy Klamm had nine. Sophomore Becca Koehn had 32 assists.

“All of the players have made gains this year which makes me happy to see,” coach Lindsey Smith said.

Smith said it was a younger team

than previous years with only three seniors: Emily Anderson, Maggie Roe, and Madelin Klamm.

“I am glad to be a part of this year’s team,” Anderson said. “I have great hopes of getting to state.”

Smith said some of the girls have really stepped up as leaders. One player is sophomore Becca Koehn.

Smith said Koehn is tough and is such a good competitor.

“She is the coach on the floor, which is a huge job,” she said.

By Umaima KochNews Editor

Music blares and conversation fills the air as some 60-odd boys mentally prepare for the hours to come. This is the locker room hours before a football game, just like it was before the Lynx’s 34-8 victory against Harrisburg last Thursday.

Games are not the only competition. Every week is a competition in practice—if any player doesn’t do well, he is prone to losing his starting position.

Such happened to senior cornerback Jacob Nachreiner when the team tested out a younger starter in his position.

“When we played Aberdeen, they have some big receivers that are difficult match-ups for us,” coach Mark Stadem said. “Jacob didn’t play as much that game, but he stayed involved and was ready when we needed him.

“(He) understands that it doesn’t matter whether he starts or comes off the bench; he just has to do what we ask him and put the team first.”

On senior night against Pierre, Nachreiner regained his starting post on the team.

In the heat of any game,

Nachreiner is antsy and nervous as countless plays fly through his head, but as the seconds count down and plays are run, the nervousness shifts into adrenaline. Some moments, the game is a picture of clarity; others, it is so fast it’s a blur.

Coaches voice that the players must have amnesia, he said. Regardless of whether a play is good or bad, it must be forgotten because everyone has to move on to the next play.

Earlier in the season, Nachreiner struggled to determine whether a play was going to be a pass or a run. By watching film, he noticed his weaknesses and learned what he needed to improve about his performance.

Football is more than a game of run-and-hit; there is an intelligence to it. Players constantly read, understand and report every movement on the field, then adjust, apply and play accordingly.

“You have to understand what you’re doing,” Nachreiner said, “and you have to do it while running around and hitting people, and it makes the game that much more intense and

special.”Football is more than just a

game.“It’s like a brotherhood,” he

said. “There’s nothing like it in the world. It brings you so close together and you can’t experience anything like that anywhere else.”

Being one of deepest players on the field, Nachreiner covers receivers’ lengths down field and defends against runs. If a run breaks loose, he is the team’s last resort.

For Nachreiner, football is a little simulation of life. Hard work, dedication and time

management are life lessons learned from the game.

“You’ve just gotta do your best,” he said. “You have to push through tough times and the good will come through.”

That is what he and the Lynx did Thursday against Washington in the first-round playoffs.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

Horse judging team competes at Nationals

Did you know...?

SADD sponsors Red Ribbon Week

n October students of the month are seniors Brandon West, Jaeden Spurling, Halle Doe; juniors Brett Hoffman, Daren Gibson; sophomores Sheridan Coyle, Anne Sorenson; freshmen Ethan Leesch and Hannah Koupal.n Junior Melanie Peltier was named to the All-State Soccer Second Team.n No school is on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.n Augustana Band Festival is Nov. 15.n First wrestling practice is Nov. 17.n Football Awards Dinner is Nov. 18 in the high school commons.n Content area teacher’s meeting is Nov. 19.

For the first time since 2001, FFA members are competing at the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Competition ends today.

The horse judging team, juniors Natalie Osheim, Allison Poncelet, Krista Mohror, alternate Ginger Warlow and Karlie Kirkpatrick, ’14, are competing against 50 other teams around the United States.

“We practiced for two hours a week for three years,” Osheim said.

The team placed first at state, and Osheim placed third overall as an individual.

“I’m looking forward to finally living the dream that we have been waiting for,” Mohror said, “and creating a lot of memories that we can look back on and giggle about.”

The girls joined the horse team just for fun, but soon realized they were in it to win.

“I had confidence that my team would be returning to nationals,” FFA adviser Gary Griesse said. “It’s not just luck that gets you to Nationals; you have to be the best.”

Griesse said he is proud of how much work and effort the girls have put in to make it this far.

Students Against Destructive Decisions sponsored Red Ribbon Week, which focuses on student drug and alcohol prevention during October.

Students were given the opportunity each day during lunch either to sign or place a thumb print on the ribbon in the commons for Red Ribbon Week.

“By doing that with the thumbs, they’re taking a pledge to not use drugs and alcohol,” Guidance Counselor Sonja Merrigan said.

Statistics and announcements were put up in the halls showing students how they may compare with other teens their age who do use drugs and alcohol.

SADD members visited the elementary schools, giving younger children the chance to hear about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. They taught different lessons and discussed why they think it is smart to stay away from use.

Vocalists to sing with Augie’s choirBy Macy MurrenStaff Writer

Sixteen vocalists will perform in the All-State Chorus Concert Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Sioux Falls Arena along with 1,100 singers and instrumentalists.

Conducting the 61st annual South Dakota All-State Chorus is Dr. Andre J. Thomas, director of choral activities at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.

“I feel really greatful that I am able to return to All-State,” senior Kevin

Huizenga said. “I am most excited to see my choir friends from across the state and to learn really interesting music from an internationally renowned conductor.”

All-State Orchestra members include senior Chelsey Schmeling; juniors Eric Hanson, Dawson Kremlacek; sophomores Jessica Berg, Anna Sorenson; and fresh-man Brianna King.

Both the Lynx Choir and Concert Choir have been invited to sing with the Augustana College choir for the first time ever. The

concert will be Nov. 9 at the Washington Pavilion. The vocalists will be singing five songs conducted by various directors.

“I think it will be a great experience to sing with the Augustana choir,” sophomore Lexis Sherron said. “They always sound amazing and have a great reputation.”

Choir director Terry Gullickson said he is flattered the choir was invited to sing.“As an alumni of Augustana, I am proud to have my students perform with Augustana,” he said. “It will be fun.”

Band performs indoor concertBy Eli SuchowackyStaff Writer

Marching Lynx performed an indoor concert Monday. The concert included their field show and five additional songs.

“It was a lot of fun because we put a lot of energy into this leading up to tonight,” senior drum major Summer Rogers said. “I’m very proud of us.”

In the last competition at the Mid-Iowa Band Championship in Ankeny, Iowa, Oct. 18, the band placed fourth out of nine.

At the Dutchmen Field Championship

in Sioux Center, Iowa, Oct. 11, Marching Lynx placed fifth out of nine.

At the Festival of Bands Oct. 4, the band placed fourth overall out of 21 bands, second in parade and third in field.

Marching Lynx hosted the Big Sioux Review last month. Because they hosted the competition, their show was an exhibition.

Before the exhibition, the band competed at the Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne, Minnesota, where they earned first in parade, second in field and overall sweepstakes champions.

The band moved up from Class 3A to Class 4A due to the school’s increased enrollment. Because the competition is fiercer in this class, the Marching Lynx placed lower than they did last year. Despite this, band director Jesse Miller said the band is better than it was last year.

“We went from being the largest school in our class to the smallest,” he said, “but the students have done a wonderful job breaking into the new class. They’ve had a strong showing at all of their competitions.”

Juniors color guard member Kirsten Knutson and drum major Joel Kocer (left) perform during the band’s field show. Junior Kaeli An-derson (above) plays her clarinet.

Photos by Eli Suchowacky and Umaima Koch

Oral interpers to compete in Pumpkin Stakes

‘Year With Frog, Toad’ fall play

Sophomore Adam Else and junior Braden Paulsen practice after school for the play A Year With Frog and Toad.

Photo by Jessica Andreasen

By Jess AndreasenStaff Writer

A Year With Frog and Toad, directed by English instructor Melanie Sittig, will be performed in the Performing Arts Center Nov. 13-16.

A Year With Frog and Toad is a story of two best friends: Frog (junior Braden Paulsen) and Toad (sophomore Adam Else). After waking from hibernation, the audience sees Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, and learn important life lessons along the way. The friends learn to rejoice in their differences that make them unique.

Paulsen is surprised and honored to have a lead role in the play.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “I didn’t expect it, but it was a huge honor to get it.”

Else is looking forward to performing.

“It is my favorite thing to do,” he said. “The cast and crew are working hard to give you the best show we can!”

Sittig, who has been directing plays here for 13 years, is excited about directing.

“There are so many aspects that need to come together,” she said about the challenges

of putting together this production. “There’s acting, singing, tech and pit.”

Sittig credits the great people in charge of those areas for making the production run smoother.

“I am very excited to perform this show,” Paulsen said. “It’s a cute and funny show, and I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.”

Tickets go on sale today. An adult ticket is $5 and students, $3. Activity passes will also be accepted. All seats are general admission.

By Jess AndreasenStaff Writer

Oral interpers will compete at Watertown Saturday in the Pumpkin Stakes.

“It’s interesting because they give pumpkins, gourds and squash instead of trophies,” coach Gina Koehn said.

This will be the first varsity meet.

“Pumpkin Stakes is one of the most fun tournaments we go to all year,” senior Evan Wieser said.

The interp team has three seniors: Wieser, Summer Rogers and Tate Green.

However, the future of interp looks bright, Koehn said.

“We have a very large, very talented group of novices,” she said, “which bodes well for the future of interp.”

Volume 53 Number 2 Brandon Valley High School - Brandon, SD 57005 Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

The Dancersfirst

at state /page 4

By Amy VardsveenStaff Writer

Math instructor Allen Hogie received South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year Award at a recognition banquet in Pierre Oct. 16.

“Being chosen from a group of peers who are doing wonderful things in their classrooms and for their students is just incredible,” Hogie said. “I have been blessed to work in an outstanding school district that holds students to high standards and a community that supports teachers and education in general.”

Hogie received $8,000 in cash prizes, a $6,700 technology package, a $220 retail gift card and a vehicle during his year as Teacher of the Year. Hogie will now represent South Dakota as a candidate for the National Teacher

of the Year Award, which will be announced in Washington, D.C., in April 2015.

“I feel proud of my accomplishments as an educator and the role I may have played in

helping students pursue a passion of their own,” Hogie said.

Other honors Hogie has

received are the National Board Certification in 2006, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 2008, district Teacher of the Year in 2013, and South Dakota Region 2 Teacher of the Year in 2015.

“He has done so many things here and across the state for our math department,” Dr. Gregg Talcott said.

Hogie is a National Board certified teacher, a South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics liaison, math department chair and a Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics member.

“The one goal that I am a little bit afraid of,” Hogie said, “is I just want to make sure I articulate my point of view clearly and concisely and represent South Dakota’s teachers in a good fashion.”

Hogie named Teacher of Year

Math instructors celebrate with instructor Allen Hogie (center) for becoming South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year. They are Emily Carroll, Tammy Bailey, Jacob Shoup and Kraig Presler.

Photo by Amy Vardsveen

AP bio attends lectures

Smart Music used as digital conductor

Celebrate My Drive sweeps community

Photo by Jacob Boomsma

Sophomore Andrea Poole takes a playing test on Smart Music. Orchestra plans to incorporate Smart Music as a more accurate grading tool.

Photo by Haley Hoeke

Senior student council members Savannah Garrow and Karly Neuberger show their Celebrate My Drive T-shirts. The students organized the school wide lip dub incorporating the campaign and songs by The Band Perry.

By Samantha PetersonStaff Writer

AP bio students are offered an extra credit opportunity by attending a lecture at Sanford Research Center once a month.

“The Sanford Research Talks introduce students to the practices of research institutions and universities,” AP biology instructor Justin Lovrien said.

Lovrien said this opportunity is important because students hear the details of where funding comes from for these projects, how long researchers are involved with the projects and the teamwork involved in

succeeding in modern science.Biology Club has six students working

on independent research. At least four of the students shadow researchers.

Senior Billy Trevillian, who is working on algae capable of producing a bio fuel, won the Sanford Promise Scholarship from the Sanford Research Center.

Senior Seth Lauseng is working on ethylene and its effects on fruit ripening. Senior Dylan Kipp is researching the potential use of lasers to kill glass anemones in marine aquariums.

The next lecture is Nov. 13.

By Estel Niyotwizera Voices Editor

Smart Music, an award-winning soft-ware that receives music on an online database, is used as a digital music conduc-tor by band and orches-tra directors Shelly Berg, Jesse Miller and chorus director Terry Gullickson.

The program pro-vides students with a professional accompa-niment, giving them a pitch and a rhythmic overtone. A wide va-riety of music books are easily acces-sible online. According to smartmusic.com, it is more accurate than the human ear. It listens, processes and provides feedback designed to assist students at a faster pace.

“I think Smart Music is a great tool for musicians,” sophomore Andrea

Poole said.Convenient, active and always on

cue, it allows students to receive one-on-one, individualized lessons.

“The program gives students a great opportunity to incorporate technology,” Miller said.

By Becca GothA&E Editor

State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive campaign swept through the community Oct. 15 to Oct. 25.

“It’s about having fun and getting as much of the community involved as possible,” Dr. Gregg Talcott said.

Students, faculty, parents and community members committed to safe driving by entering their email and choosing safe driving tactics.

The schools with the most votes in the nation will receive either a $100,000 grant and a concert from The Band Perry, a $100,000 grant or a $25,000 grant. Ten percent of the grant will go to safe driving education, 20 percent will go to the Brandon Area Food Pantry, and 20 percent to the elementary and middle schools, leaving the high school with the remaining 40 percent. Brandon Valley held second place for a

majority of the campaign, ending in first Thursday the night before.

Talcott said that the proceeds will go towards activities that are accessible by the entire student body. The winner will not be announced until November 14.

State Farm Agent Bill Thompson supported the school throughout the campaign. He donated thousands of Celebrate My Drive flyers, T-shirts and posters. Thompson also hosted a voting tent during a football game.

Local television stations KSFY and Keloland ran multiple stories about the school’s involvement in the campaign, asking communities to support BV.

Senior student council members Karly Neuberger and Savannah Garrow organized another school-wide lip dub to The Band Perry songs in order to grab the community’s attention. KSFY and KELO also reported on the video.