Submitted by Melanie Horner, SV Middle-High School

SPRING VALLEY, WI – On Wednesday night, May 8, 2024, 100 people gathered at the Spring Valley High School Gymnasium to recognize the accomplishments of the 38 students graduating as the SVHS Class of 2024. The evening started with desserts, followed by scholarship and award presentations from various individuals, school and community organizations, local and regional businesses, and college tuition scholarship awards.

Lauren Bigaouette, Junior Class President welcomed the guests with opening remarks. Chris Segerstrom, Middle-High School Principal, acknowledged students entering the Armed Services, Technical Colleges, 4-year Universities and the Workforce. The Junior Class along with their advisors, Mrs. Rachel Traynor and Mrs. Becky Leland, hosted the event.

A dollar amount of $142,721 was awarded among the 15 who completed the local scholarship application packet and those applying for outside scholarships. Local and regional scholarship funds of just over $73,675 were disbursed. The balance of nearly $69,046 was awarded through Wisconsin state scholarships and college scholarship tuition awards.

Additionally, awards were presented to students involved in school organizations including FFA, Art and Music, as well as the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Jameson Bauer and Madeline Shafer were acknowledged as Dunn-St. Croix 2024 scholar-athletes and Jameson Bauer and Mara Ducklow were acknowledged as the WIAA Scholar Athletes. Danielle Nyhus was recognized for completing the welding academy with the Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Outstanding students in each core academic and elective academic department received awards – Agriculture – Jordan Lamb, Choir – Abigail Wines, Art – Danielle Nyhus, Spanish – Charlotte Vanasse, Wyatt Goveronski, Megan Wendtlant and Jameson Bauer, English – Madeline Shafer, Mathematics – Joel Anderson, Physical Education – Diego Schmitt, Science – Abigail Biggs, Social Studies –  Hannah Adams, Technical Education – Jack Mattison and Brody Gregg.

Twelve students graduating with honors were recognized for their academic accomplishments – Valedictorian-Abigail Biggs, Salutatorian-Madeline Shafer and Honors Graduates-Joel Anderson, Charlotte Vanasse, Wyatt Goveronski, Danielle Nyhus, Olivia Schlegel, Hannah Adams, Mason Zimmerman, Mara Ducklow, Jordan Lamb and Hannah Smith. This group acknowledged outstanding staff members, awarding medals of appreciation. Those staff members included Grace Anderson nominated by Jordan Lamb, Tiffany Schultz nominated by Hannah Smith, Ryan Kapping nominated by Joel Anderson, Curtis Rykal nominated by Abigail Biggs, Jeff Furrer nominated by Hannah Adams, Wyatt Goveronski and Mason Zimmerman, Becky Leland nominated by Danielle Nyhus, Brad Linse nominated by Mara Ducklow, Brenda Ninneman nominated by Charli Vanasse, Lori Kapping nominated by Madeline Shafer and Jalissa Bankston nominated by Olivia Schlegel.

The evening concluded with a thank you on behalf of the Class of 2024 by their Class President, Wyatt Goveronski.

Through the generosity of hundreds of donors, the opportunities for the graduates of Spring Valley High School seem endless! On behalf of the Spring Valley School District students, staff and administration, our sincere appreciation to the individuals, organizations and businesses that help to fund the Spring Valley Scholarship Program each year.

MARTELL WI – It was 50 years ago in 1974, that ten natural conservation minded guys got together at the Martell School to start the Eau Galle Rush River Sportsman’s Club (EGRRSC). They each contributed $10 to found the Club. They got together because they had concerns about the environmental conditions of the two rivers and they wanted to do something about it.

The EGRRSC has now grown to 120 members from the original ten, fifty years ago. It is a very family-oriented organization that every year holds the hugely popular Trout Fishing Contest. The contest is their main fund-raising event. It is held on the Wisconsin Fishing Season opening weekend. The headquarters is at the Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club building on the banks of the Rush River.

This year just recently was the 48th year for the EGRRSC Annual Trout Fishing Contest that awards cash and some nice prizes as well.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the May 16, 2024 issue of the Sun-Argus or Woodville Leader newspaper. Click to subscribe for convenient delivery by mail, or call (715) 778-4990. Single issues are also available at area newsstands and our office in Spring Valley, WI.

Submitted by Jerry Thompson, Post 207

ELMWOOD, WI – Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 and Auxiliary Unit 207 participated in the Elmwood High School Awards Banquet the evening of May 1, 2024, to present scholarships and awards. Legion Commander Jerry Thompson presented a $1,000 scholarship to Ryan Rupakus to assist in his collegiate endeavors. To qualify for the Post 207 Scholarship, the student must have a 3.0 GPA, and at the time of application, a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister must be a member of Legion Post 207, or a deceased member of Post 207.

Badger Boys State participant Jaycob Reitz and Badger Girls State participant Cadie Asher received their Certificates of Appreciation from Auxiliary Unit 207 Vice-President Brenda Bechel. Badger Boys State and Badger Girls State educates young leaders on how to become more impactful community members of Wisconsin. During the program, high school students between their junior and senior years learn how our government system works by creating their own city, county, and state level governments. They even learn how to run for Governor.

There are also many scholarships available to Boys and Girls State participants. If a Boys State participant enrolls into college at UW Eau Claire, they automatically receive a $1,000 scholarship from the University. High School juniors who are attending either Badger Boys State or Badger Girls State who are direct descendants of a wartime US Military Veteran, can also apply online to the Samsung Scholarship and compete for multiple $1,250, $5,000 or $10,000 scholarships.

Scholarship applicants must complete and submit their online application prior to 11:59 (local time) of Day 1 of their respective American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program. All applications must be submitted using the online application system. Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by the American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea’s aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War.  Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War Era Veterans will receive three bonus points.

Congratulations to these students!