Wolverine boys mentor elementary students, promoting that they are students as well as athletes
Mountain Lake Area (MLA) Wolverine boys basketball players are continuing their annual tradition of a “basketball court-to-classroom-connection” during this week’s student mentoring time leading up to this Friday night’s “Elementary Night.” A total 31 varsity and B-squad players, in grades nine through 12, are helping in elementary classrooms from kindergarten-to-sixth-grade each day of this schools week at both Mountain Lake Public Elementary (MLPS) and Mountain Lake Christian Elementary (MLC).
Shawn Naas, Wolverine boys basketball head coach, began the tradition when he took over the top coaching spot 22 years ago as a way for the high school players to tutor and provide role models for the younger students.
The week will reach its climax on Friday, February 6 when elementary students from both schools converge on the public school auditorium for “Elementary Night” as the Wolverines take on the Adrian Dragons. Admission for students is $2 or a student activity pass. The 9th grade takes to the court at 5 p.m., B-squad tip-off is at 6:15 p.m., with the varsity tango will follow.
The elementary mentoring program is sponsored by the MLA boys basketball program.
This year’s group of Wolverine basketball players participating as classroom assistants, and their grade in school, includes:
Mountain Lake Public Elementary
Nicole James’ kindergarten classroom – Ryan McCue (11) and Aaron Fast (10).
Kelli Tucholke’s kindergarten classroom – Logan Johnson (12) and Aaron Fast (10).
Kim Blomgren’s first-grade classroom – Jared Saunders (12) and Tiger Sengmany (11).
Stacey Stade’s first-grade classroom – Zach Palm-Khamvongsa (12).
Kristine Friesen’s second-grade classroom – Eric Wenner (12) and Brodie Freeman (9).
Amberly Hulzebos’ second-grade classroom – Levi Jahnke (12) and Marcus Boyd (9).
Jennifer Fast’s third-grade classroom – Sam Xayanourom (11) and Ruben Fentanez (10).
Marilyn Tusa’s third-grade classroom – Tommy Kraemer (10) and Hunter Dahna (10).
Matt Anderson’s fourth-grade classroom – Travis Willaby (9) and Kris Menken (9).
Stephanie Willaby’s fourth-grade classroom – Byron Franz (12) and Andrew Fast (10).
Cheri Strom’s fifth-grade classroom – Sam Hirsch (10) and Reynaldo Capetillo (9).
Justin Thompson’s fifth-grade classroom – Ben Grev (12) and A. J. Vongsy (9).
Annette Kunkel’s sixth-grade classroom – Sam Grev (10).
Kyle Blomgren’s sixth-grade classroom – Derek Harder (12) and Weston Osland (9).
Principal Karl Wassman’s noon hour duty – Shadrick Hoek (10).
Mountain Lake Christian Elementary
Mandy Linscheid’s preschool and Nordis Olson’s third- and fourth-grade classrooms – Aaron Walzak (12).
Sheryl Fast’s and Brenda Adrian’s and Rachel Knutson’s first- and second-grade classrooms – Dustin Klassen (11).
Brenda Adrian’s and Rachel Knutson’s first- and second-grade and Nordis Olson’s third- and fourth-grade classrooms – Caleb Bargen (11).
Brenda Adrian’s and Rachel Knutson’s first- and second-grade and Karin Stoesz’s fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms – Levi Stoesz (10).
Nordis Olson’s third- and fourth-grade and Karin Stoesz’s fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms – Slade Harder (11).
Physical education with Nicole Meyer – Caleb Bargen (12) and Levi Stoesz (10).
Below are some “shots” from the ball players’ classroom mentoring:
