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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
The NRHEG chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted juniors Alden Dobberstein, Sierra Misgen and Tayla Sandry during a ceremony held Wednesday, Nov. 15 in the high school gym. All three inductees expressed that they felt honored to be inducted.
Speaker for the event was Duey Ferber, sixth-grade teacher for the district.
The NHS lists four cornerstone personality traits for potential members: scholarship, leadership, service and character. Ferber focused on the word “leadership.”
He told those in attendance, “Being a leader is not about being the best, it is about making everyone else better.” He went on to say that the NHS members assembled on the stage were not “perfect.”
“I taught them all how to drive,” joked Ferber. “I assure you, they made mistakes.”
Ferber then went on to share a story of regret from his own childhood. He told of a classmate who was “an easy target” for bullies. He confessed, “I didn’t join in, but I did nothing to stop it.
“I was 12 years old, and I was a coward.”
He went on to suggest that anyone in the room could be a leader. “Be the kind of person who stands up for the Penny Fishers of the world,” he suggested. “Be the kind of person who looks for solutions rather than complications.
“Show leadership by shoveling an elderly neighbor’s driveway,” he offered, then went on to give his own address. “Be the kind of leader who understands pressure is a privilege; it means something is expected of you.
“And always,” Ferber finished, “choose kindness.”
Along with the three inductees, members of the New Richland chapter of the National Honor Society are Kia Buendorf, Payton Bunn, Julia Churchill, Keira Lenort, Addison Loken, McKenzie Mueller, Madison Murray, Evelyn Nydegger, Erin Peterson, Annabelle Petsinger, George Roessler, Tayler Schmidt, Hallie Schultz, Brenna Sommer and Isabel Stadheim.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
NRHEG students in grades 3 through 12 attended a program honoring veterans in the secondary school gym on Friday, Nov. 10. Twenty or more members of area veterans’ organizations attended as a group; prior to the start of the program, they were presented with thank you cards handmade by elementary students. Other community veterans attended and sat among the audience.
The New Richland American Legion Color Guard posted the national and state flags, after which the crowd recited the “Pledge of Allegiance.” All were then invited to join the full, grade 7 to 12 choir and band to sing the national anthem.
The program was planned cooperatively by the High School Ambassadors organization, led by teacher Holly Pederson, and the secondary music department, led by choir director Krista Reeder and band director Seth Schaefer.
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96-year-old World War II Veteran
Longtime Legion Chaplain Winston Evenson
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor Emeritus
The fighting was finished before Winston Evenson had a chance to sign up for military service in 1946.
"I was no war hero," he emphasized. "I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about that."
So, fundamental point: Evenson never saw any live combat action. He did, however, serve his country in Korea and become officially designated as a WWII veteran.
It's a role he's embraced for many, many years, proudly serving as the long-time Chaplain for New Richland's American Legion.
He states with pride that, other than his time on the farm, he's never lived more than a block away from church.
At 96, Evenson is not only one of the oldest WWII vets around, he's one of the oldest people, period–and still sharp as a tack. A widower, he lives alone in the house he built in 1959. He still drives a car, but, admittedly, prefers to use his golf cart in town.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
An estimated 250 New Richland-area children and family members attended the “Strike up Some Fun” event held from 1 to 4 this past Saturday afternoon at Trappers Lanes in New Richland.
Sponsored by Farm and City Days, the event raised more than $700 to help meet costs for the annual summer celebration held during the second full week of July.
The idea for Saturday’s event stemmed from a meeting held after this year’s summer celebration was complete. Committee members Angela Gehrke, Brandy Jacobson, Sara Jo Vulcan and Jennifer Weber decided both the community and the event would benefit if Farm and City Days became more than a once-a-year phenomenon.
“We wanted to see that sense of community, the celebration of our shared identity, play a role all year long,” said Weber.
The group collaborated on the details of possible events, weighing various factors.