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Waseca class of ‘22 graduates 121
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Class Speaker Emma Wieseler.
Star Eagle photos by Amelia Roessler
By AMELIA ROESSLER
Staff Writer
One by one, they walked out into the world. The Waseca High class of 2022 graduated 121 students Sunday afternoon, May 29, 2022 in a packed gymnasium in Waseca.
The seniors walked solemnly into the gym to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.” The graduating class and audience were welcomed by Senior Class President Jaidence Medina. The class escorts were Mr. John Hanson and Mr. Jake Nelson and the class turners were Mrs. Brenda Nelson and Mr. David Oraskovich.
The class’s motto, “Learn from the past; excel in the present; challenge the future,” was quite fitting for the class speakers, Nicola DeJager, Student Council President Alayna Akers, and Emma Wieseler. They each touched on important aspects needed in life. Wieseler talked about being yourself – your true self. Dejager touched on the fact that, although this class has had a lot of trials in their past four years, that those opportunities to grow have led them to come out stronger and wiser than before. Akers talked about leading with love and following your heart, and keeping the virtue of compassion close in mind.
Waseca County 4-H celebrates two finalists in MN 4-H Horse Dan Patch/Youth Leadership Program
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20 finalists for the Dan Patch Youth Leadership award.
Every year since 1966, 4-H Horse Project members can apply for a Dan Patch and Youth Leadership award. In order to apply, participants must have been enrolled for at least two years in the MN 4-H Horse or Horseless Horse Project and have participated in at least one horse-related leadership role.
In April, all applicants submit a 2-page resume and an 8-page portfolio. They are judged on a broad base of Learning, Leadership, and Service within the 4-H Horse project, other 4-H project areas, and within their community.
There are two divisions for the Award: 10-12th graders compete to become the Dan Patch winner. After scoring the resume/portfolios, the top 20 advance to a Phase 2 Judging Day, which was held virtually this year. They were interviewed on their Learning, Leadership and Service. They individually prepared and presented on an equine-related topic AND they were placed in random groups to collaborate on a group problem. The ten individuals with the top scores after all 5 judged events are considered “finalists!” This year Eliza S. from Waseca County is in the Top 10!
Giving back to local veterans
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Roger Swearingen and his wife Caren
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Roger Swearingen of Ellendale served 21 years in the Air Force. Now, he is helping other veterans, donating a 1991 34-foot Pace Arrow to the Steele County Veteran Services Office in Owatonna.
Swearingen graduated from high school in Ellendale in 1965. Like many rural Ellendale kids, he had expected to continue his family's farming tradition, but fate had other plans for him. In 1966 he received a life-altering draft notice, along with three others from Ellendale. Each of them enlisted in the Air Force. “We all had good careers in it,” said Swearingen.
Swearingen started in boot camp in San Antonio, TX. From there, he was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, where he studied aircraft for 13 weeks. Then Swearingen went to the Ching Chuan Kang Air Force Base in Taiwan. There, Swearingen's team was responsible for 150 C-130 aircraft. Swearingen's personal career field was in air conditioning, pressurization, and bleed air, etc. “We worked seven days a week, 12 hours a day,” said Swearingen.
Swearingen and his squadron flew back and forth from Taiwan to Vietnam on missions.
“After I got from Taiwan, they sent me to Bentwaters Air Force Base, England for five years to work on air force fighters,” said Swearingen. By then, Swearingen had put in so much time into the Air Force that he thought, “Well, maybe I should just stay.” Swearingen discovered that the Air Force was offering re-up bonuses. When he consulted with his family, they were amenable to the idea of Swearingen staying in the service.
‘Foxy’ inducted into Hall of Fame: Geneva’s Dan ‘Fox’ Richards honored at 31st annual HOF banquet
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HALL OF FAME - Dan Richards is pictured above alonside members of his family, including: granddaughter, Torey Richards; Tomm Richards, Sue Richards, Dan, granddaughter, Maya; grandson, Maxx; Jessica Richards and Brett Richards.
Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulson
By KATHY PAULSON
Contributing writer
Dan “Fox” Richards of Geneva was one of 19 individuals inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame Saturday, Oct. 30 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea.
The 31st annual event recognizes individuals who made outstanding contributions to the sport of softball either as a player, manager, umpire, sponsor, promotor, administrator, organizer, volunteer, or as a media contributor.
Over the years several fastpitch softball players and coaches from the NRHEG area have been inducted. Those honored include: Harold “Hank” Thompson in 1994, Daryl Paulsen in 2004, Scott Christensen in 2008; David “Dub Richards, Ron Bergstrom and Ken Hagen in 2014 and Dave “Gilly” Gilbertson in 2016 and this year Dan Richards.
Dan played fastpitch softball in the Southern Minnesota area for nearly three decades.
With his family in attendance, Richards addressed the crowd after he received his Hall of Fame plaque.
‘Happy to finally be here’: Care Center welcomes Brittany
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Hinz-Henry lives in Albert Lea with her husband, Jordan, and their two children, Hunter, 10, and Caliber, 6.
Submitted photo
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
As of Oct. 11, Brittany Hinz-Henry is the new director of nursing at the New Richland Care Center, taking over from Kyle Parr.
Hinz-Henry graduated from NRHEG in 2006. She studied her generals at Riverland Community College in Austin, and then attained her nursing degree at Rasmussen in Mankato.
“I love it,” says Hinz-Henry of her work at the New Richland Care Center. “I like long-term care, and being in contact with [residents'] family members as well.”
Hinz-Henry was previously a unit manager at Benedictine in Owatonna, a short-stay care facility, where she worked with admissions and discharges.
Being a New Richland native, Hinz-Henry had always told herself that, if something opened up at the New Richland Care Center, she would apply for it. When she finally received an email notice that there was a job opening there, she jumped at it.
Now, her job at the Care Center entails ensuring that everything is running smoothly with nursing and to ensure the best place for residents.