With a healthy side dish of sports
Mountain Lake Area (MLA) Wolverine boys basketball players are continued their annual tradition of a “basketball court-to-classroom-connection” during this week’s student mentoring time known as “Elementary Week” – albeit abbreviated due to to days of schools cancelled because of a blizzard.
A total 29 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 reached its climax today (Friday, February 5), when elementary students from both schools converged on the public school auditorium for “Elementary Night” as the Wolverines took on the Ellsworth Panthers.
A special section of seats was reserved just for elementary students. Prior to the varsity game, Mountain Lake Public Elementary School (MLES) sixth-grade students, led by the school’s vocal instructor, Andrea Brinkman, shared the National Anthem. Halftime entertainment was also scheduled for both the B-squad and varsity games. At the half of the B-game, kindergarten-through-third-grade Saturday basketball players performed. At the mid-game mark of the varsity game, winners of both the MLS and MLC grades 3-6 Free Throw contests were announced. Also at the varsity half, prizes were given away to registered elementary students.
This year’s group of Wolverine basketball players participating as classroom assistants, and their grade, includes:
Mountain Lake Public Elementary
Kelli Tucholke’s kindergarten classroom – Regan Syverson (9).
Nicole James’ kindergarten classroom – Chris Boyd (12) and Brodie Freeman (10).
Kim Blomgren’s first-grade classroom – Sam Xayanoroum (12), Ruben Fentanez (11) and Ryan Blomgren (9).
Stacey Stade’s first-grade classroom – Sam Grev (11), and A. J. Vongsy (10).
Amberly Hulzebos’ second-grade classroom – Tommy Kraemer (11) and Marcus Boyd (10).
Kristine Friesen’s second-grade classroom – Tiger Sengmany (12) and Travis Willaby (10).
Jennifer Fast’s third-grade classroom – Kris Menken (10) and Weston Osland (10).
Marilyn Tusa’s third-grade classroom – Hunter Dahna (11) and Eli Karschnik (9).
Matt Anderson’s fourth-grade classroom – Aaron Fast (11) and Drake Harder (9).
Stephanie Willaby’s fourth-grade classroom – Andrew Fast (11) and Alex Sunderman (11).
Justin Thompson’s fifth-grade classroom – Josiah Gardiner (9).
Cheri Strom’s fifth-grade classroom – Sam Hirsch (11).
Kyle Blomgren’s sixth-grade classroom – Christian Hampel (12) and Braden Rempel (9).
Annette Kunkel’s sixth-grade classroom – Ryan McCue (12) and Collin Hampel (9).
Mountain Lake Christian Elementary
Sheryl Fast’s kindergarten classroom – Dustin Klassen (12) and Levi Stoesz (11).
Brenda Adrian’s and Rachel Knutson’s first- and second-grade classroom – Slade Harder (12).
Nordis Olson’s third- and fourth-grade classroom – Slade Harder (12) and Dustin Klassen (12).
Brandon Pearson’s fifth- and sixth-grade classroom – Levi Stoesz (11).
Nicole Meyer’s elementary physical education classroom – Slade Harder (12).
Aaron Petersen’s fifth- and sixth-grade elementary music classroom – Slade Harder (12).
Miriam Rojas’ elementary Spanish classroom – Dustin Klassen (12) and Levi Stoesz (11).
