Volume 52 Number 2 Brandon Valley High School - Brandon, SD 57005 Friday, Oct. 25, 2013

The All-Staters to perform in concert

/page 6

Photo by Umaima Koch

Student teacher Kristy Kienzle passes out a quiz during English instructor Ann Sittig’s third period Honors 9 class. Kienzle and Sittig will co-teach for both semesters.

Kienzle, Sittig co-teach

Panzau: I took thesteps to my downfall

Photo by Umaima Koch

During an assembly, speaker Sarah Panzau tells about the consequences of her decision to drink and drive.

Photo by Rachel Boy

Senior Manny Bernal and junior Austin Meinerts sit with their Bethany Meadows residents for food and conversation. Bethany Meadows celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Students celebrateBethany Meadows’ 10th anniversaryBy Caiti MurphyStaff Writer

Instructor Carolyn Ebright’s sociology students celebrated Bethany Meadows’ 10th anniver-sary with the residents.

The students interviewed residents at Bethany Meadows about how times have changed since they were teenagers.

“I had a really good time with my resident,” senior Jamie Peterson said. “We had plenty of things to talk about, and conversation was never dull. It was interesting to hear about how different things were 50 or 60 years ago for teenagers.”

Ebright assigned the students to groups. The powerpoint, food and décor groups put the event together. The powerpoint group put the results of the interview

into a slide show. The food group created fall-themed cake pops and chex mix. The décor group decorated the tables with fall centerpieces and made a banner.

Students had about three days to prepare for the event before going to Bethany Meadows.

“I was really happy with the way it turned out,” junior Alissa Kuhn said. “With only having a few days of preparation, it ran smoothly and we got everything done.”

At the event the students sat with the residents they interviewed and ate the snacks provided by the food group. They then watched the powerpoint with the senior citizens.

Ebright’s classes are con-sidering returning to Bethany Meadows later this semester to visit again.

By Umaima KochNews Editor

When she was 10 years old, student teacher Kristy Kienzle would make grade books, many of which she still keeps today while being a teacher.

“I’ve always known I’ve wanted to work with kids and help people,” she said.

Kienzle will be co-teaching with English instructor Ann Sittig for the duration of the year.

“I feel like a teacher even though I’m still a student,” Kienzle said.

The two-semester student teaching program, an option only offered at the University of South Dakota at the present, is planned to be instated for colleges statewide in the future.

As a full-term student teacher, as opposed to a single-semester student teacher who observes and eventually takes over the

classroom, Kienzle cooperates with Sittig in every aspect of teaching. Although Kienzle will instruct a two-week unit by herself, she will never take over the classroom.

“We’re sharing the workload,” Kienzle said. “I think it’s easier to serve the kids with two people in the classroom.”

It’s an opportunity that gives Kienzle experience with the important, everyday duties teachers have that tend to be overlooked, like planning lessons, doing inservices and conferences and communicating with the students’ parents.

“I love the challenge of trying to figure out what’s going to work for students or not,” she said.

By the end of her term, she said, she will know exactly what it takes to run a classroom.

Both Sittig and Kienzle benefit

from the co-teaching program.“She’s supposed to learn from

me,” said Sittig, who likes being able to bounce ideas off of each other, “but I learn just as much from her.”

Sittig said the classroom is less isolated, problem solving is easier, students receive more one-on-one time and twice as many questions are answered with Kienzle’s added presence, innovation and fresh ideas.

“I hope more people will understand what it takes to be a teacher,” Kienzle said about student teaching for two semesters. “Once they’re here (teaching) for a year, they’ll figure out if they’re cut out for it or not.”

For Sittig, teaching with Kienzle has been a great experience.

“You can learn a lot,” she said, “as well as help a young professional start their career.”

By Umaima KochNews Editor

Catapulted from her vehicle’s rear window at 60 miles an hour, her left arm severed straight through the bone and ripped off of her body, her jaw broken in seven different places, the back-left side of her scalp torn away, all but five vertebrae in her back fractured, her rib cage detached from her spinal column and a trail of clumps of skin and hair left stuck to five guardrail posts.

A potentially deadly collision on the fateful morning of Aug. 23, 2003, left Sarah Elizabeth Panzau lying on the highway with no blood pressure, no heartbeat, no pulse.

Panzau was practically dead because she chose to drink and drive.

Her confession always leaves her skin prickling with goose bumps when she says it.

“We’re young. We think we’re invincible,” Panzau said at an assembly Oct. 1. “We think we’re not gonna die.

“That stuff was never supposed to happen to me. I certainly never thought this was the body I’d be trapped in forever,” she said, gesturing to herself. “I want you to see what happened to my body. My once-beautiful body.”

Growing up, Panzau and her fellow all-star athlete twin sister Nicole Panzau were known as the “Pounding Panzaus” for their skills playing volleyball. She was a three-year varsity starter and earned a full ride volleyball scholarship at a junior college.

“If I said I didn’t have a drink while in high school,” she said,

“I’d be lying.”Drinking didn’t become an

issue for her until she dropped out of college due to laziness and bartended at 19.

“It became a problem for me because it became my lifestyle,” she said. “I took the steps to my downfall. I just drank and partied.”

After lying in a coma for two weeks, Panzau spent two and a half months recuperating at St. Washington University Hospital.

“I had to learn who my true friends were in the hardest way possible,” she said.

Not one of Panzau’s so-called true friends, the people whom she drank with, was at her bedside when she woke. In the past 10 years, she hasn’t seen or heard from any of those friends.

But her mother, the “spawn of Satan,” stood vigil by Panzau’s bedside in her daughter’s time of need.

“If you were ever in a situation like that, the first people you would call are your parents,” she said.

However, most people wouldn’t because they fear the consequences.

Panzau feared corporal punishment and her mother, an active duty full bird colonel in the U.S. army. She remembers when her mother entered her hospital room, placed a pen in her hand and a notepad on her stomach, because Panzau had lost the ability to speak after her jaw snapped. Her mother only wanted to know one thing: “Why didn’t you call me?”

Panzau wrote TROUBLE!!!“I would’ve been there,”

her mother said, sobbing and apologizing.

At one point Panzau hated her mother so much that she wanted her to die, she said, but she couldn’t ask for a better mother.

“To think what I did to that woman on the morning of August 23,” Panzau said, “I’ll never forgive myself.”

Panzau pleads others not to fear their parents as she feared her mother.

“They (parents) should never have to face the nightmare or the hell I put my mother through,” she said.

Instead of lamenting over the past, Panzau has taken responsibility for her actions that night.

“If you make the first poor choice to drink,” she said, “I beg you, please, don’t make the second poor choice and get behind the wheel.”

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 25, 2013

5th Quarter creates fun, safe

The Echo is published monthly by the publications students of the Brandon Valley High School, 301 S. Splitrock, Brandon, S.D. 57005. Telephone number is 582-3211. It is a state and national award-winning publication affiliated with the South Dakota High School Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. News Editor..........................................................................Umaima KochVoices Editor .............................................................................Becca GothA&E Editor .....................................................................Evelyn JorgensonSports Editors ........................................... Dylan Bludorn and Matt PearceUpdate Editors .........................................Taylor Staab and Molly HowardPhoto Editors...........................................Rachel Boy and Jacob BoomsmaAd Manager .........................................................................Umaima KochCirculation Manager ....................................... .......................Ariel SmykleStaff Writers....................Caiti Murphy, Kate Perkinson and Emily HaederAdviser ........................................................................Debra RothenbergerBrandon Valley Echo is a public forum. The editorial content of the Echo expresses the views of the newspaper and not necessarily of the administration, faculty or school board of the Brandon Valley School District. Bylined editorial content is the writer’s opinion and not necessarily of the staff, adviser or school administration. Signed letters to the editor are encouraged, but they may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel.

What do you think about the Brandon

Valley Assembly of God’s

5th Quarter?

It’s okay for people to step outside their comfort zone

Echo editors encourage readers to submit letters to the editor, which must be signed. They may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel. They should be addressed to the Echo editors or dropped off in the publications room, 120.

Dig PinkBlood drive Blizzard

By Taylor StaabUpdate Editor

If anyone would have told me three years ago that I was going to be involved with sports and love it, I would have laughed and walked away.

With bright lights hitting my face, I felt like I belonged on the stage playing my clarinet, singing in harmony or portraying a character. That’s how those three short years went in middle school. Having those same feelings walking into high school, I never dreamed of stepping outside my comfort zone until my junior year.

When I entered the trainer’s room for the first time, I experienced a range of emotions: fear, excitement and anticipation.

“You’re taking my class?” trainer Chad Urban asked as I walked in.

“Yes,” I said.As weeks went by, the room

was quiet. I wouldn’t stay long, just long enough to shuffle the track kids out to practice. Then I started staying longer because I experienced a different side of the class. It was no longer ice bags and heat packs; it was conversations and friendships that I could only dream of. The first year left a lasting impression that carried over into my senior year.

After 12 hours at school between band and sports, I would be tired, but no matter how exhausted I was at the end of the day, I woke up and did it all over again.

Between band and football

there’s not much I can do but break down every stereotype I ever believed in. Band kids aren’t nerds and football players aren’t egotistical. Both are committed and determined. Being at both practices, I felt a sense of unity, students working together to achieve their goals.

The most phenomenal choice I ever made was stepping outside my comfort zone and eliminating stereotypes. Since then, I have bonded with people I never even glanced at in the hallways and I found out how amazing they are.

I lived a sheltered life at the start of high school, only doing what I felt comfortable with. Now, I’ve expanded my comfort zone to where I can do almost anything.

Thumbs up to those who participated in the blood

drive. They donated over 74 pints of blood. The donated blood

will help 222 people in this community who need it.

Thumbs up to the volleyball girls who sold

t-shirts for the Dig Pink Night. The girls raised money for breast cancer research.

With one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer, research is important.

Thumbs down to the blizzard in the Black Hills

when western South Dakota received over six feet of snow

in two weeks. The storm killed tens of thousands of cattle and left thousands of people without electricity.

After the exhilarating experience of Friday night football games, the players and students like to sustain that energy. They may go to parties and do things that later in life they will regret.

The Brandon Valley Assembly of God church is trying to change those risky actions made by students by hosting safe parties called 5th Quarter, coordinated by youth pastor Jake Koenes.

“It is possible to enjoy friends and life without the use of alcohol, drugs or heart-breaking intimate relationships,” Pastor Jake said.

5th Quarter includes activities that attendees may participate in like sitting around the fire, socializing and playing dodgeball or laser tag.

The food brings students in as well. The 5th Quarter staff provides pizzas, grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and chips.

Throughout the night, Pastor Jake gives away prizes such as free oil changes, iPads and gift cards from businesses like Juice Stop and 10 Below Frozen Yogurt.

5th Quarter is a fun, safe place to spend time with friends, and the organizers provide that.

“Jake had a good idea starting 5th Quarters, and it has become bigger than I thought it would.”

–Freshman Brad Lawrence

“I think it’s a fun, safe place to be after a game.”

-Junior Weston Meyer

“I think it’s a really fun place to hang out.”

-Junior Alex Hamer

“They’re fun. Lots to do. Good way to keep kids safe and out of trouble.”

-JuniorDani Hoeke

“It is a fun night, and you get free food. What’s better than that?”

-SophomoreJacob Meyer

“I really like them. I think they’re fun, and I like how they have little speeches about God.”

-Freshman Anna Boomsma

Brandon Valley High School Friday, Oct. 25, 2013

Photo courtesy of Extremetech.com

A side-by-side comparison of the iPhone homescreens shows the differences in visual design of the icons and other features.

Apple’s software update is impressive

Haunted house in Corson

By Jacob BoomsmaPhoto Editor

About a month ago, Apple released what can be seen as the first true post-Jobs firmware for their mobile devices. Under the direction of the new software design CEO, Jony Ives, the new software, appropriately named iOS 7, features a major visual overhaul and over 200 smaller features.

Ives has done away with the skeuomorphism, software that mimics real-life objects, in all its apps and app icons. The green felt pool table in the game center, the Rolodex feel of the contacts app and the yellow legal pad of the notes app to name a few have been replaced with minimalistic flat design that will stay relevant long after objects of past skeuomorphism quickly become forgotten and obsolete.

The new iOS theme is cen-tered on the new flat concept that gained popularity in the last year or so. iOS 7 does away with 3d app icons and replaces them with colorful, two dimensional icons. It also adds uniformity within the

apps, having them follow a guideline of mimalistic detail and a focus on the content in-stead of extra eye candy.

iOS 7 in-cludes im-provements to Siri, camera and notifica-tions. It intro-duces a new control cen-ter featuring shortcuts that are a bit over-due. To follow in the trends of the prior f i r m w a r e s , iOS 7 has stolen ideas from the jailbreak-ing community including the new multitasking bar, automatic app updates and a 3d home screen ef-fect.

After a month of the new operating system on a variety

of devices, I am pleased with the update. The software runs hand-in-hand with Apple’s latest creation, the iPhone 5S, and looks beautiful on the larger screen for iPad.

However, I found a few issues

with a older iPhone 4, but they fell within the acceptable range of any new major s o f t w a r e update.

As with each new update, Apple excludes a n o t h e r generation of older hardware. The iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 4, and original iPad are maxed at iOS 6.1.3.

While some users of the older devices may protest about being

left out, it is for their own good, as the problems of running the new version on hardware that can’t handle it would far outweigh the benefits.

As with every new firmware, Apple has vigorously tried to

abolish jailbreaking. But those holding out on upgrading on the basis of losing their jailbreak should not fear as the Evad3rs team is hard at work on the next generation of their famous jailbreak, software which frees iDevices from the strict constraints of Apple and allows users to enhance and customize their device with third party software via Cydia.

iOS 7 makes even older iDevices feel like new and brings about many great features that make it worth upgrading. The sleek new feel of its flat design may be reason enough for some people to upgrade.

I look forward to seeing the small improvements that Apple will surely bring in updates and all the new tweaks and enhancements the jailbreak community will put forth for the new system.

Apple has done it again, not only setting a new standard on how mobile software should run, but also proving they can continue to amaze after the passing of Steve Jobs.

By Ariel SmykleCirculation Manager

For the first time in seven years, the Fear Factory haunted house is in Corson instead of Garretson.

The haunted house is a maze of darkness, gore and horror both inside and outside. The outside part has port-a-pots set up for more thrills and chills.

Fear Factory is open today, Saturday and on Halloween from 7:30-10 p.m.

The cost is $7. Children who are 10 and under must have an adult present.

The Brandon Edge community group will stage a Family Fun Day next Saturday from 4-6:30 p.m. for children 10 and under. It will include coffin races, a “mummify” your friends contest, a horse drawn wagon ride and a haunted house that is more age-appropriate for younger children.

The Fear Factory is located at the Lacey Rentals in the Corson Industrial Park.

Friday nights reinvented

5th Quarter

Photos by Becca Goth

Pastor Jeremy Steinert preaches to the students who attended the high school only 5th Quarter Oct. 11. Pastor Jeremy told a story from Genesis about a boy named Joseph, who was sold into slavery. Steinert was the guest speaker for the event.

Freshman Remi Larson plays foosball in the Connect Youth Room.

Junior Weston Meyer plays carpet ball. He attends BVAG on a regular basis.

By Becca GothVoices Editor

Friday night football games are a tradition. What the students do afterwards, however, is new.

Brandon Valley Assembly of God, “the church behind Casey’s,” has hosted 15 5th Quarters after football and basketball games for the past three years. A 5th Quarter is a party with inflatables, free food, door prizes, camp fires, laser tag, loud music and more.

“They’re great,” junior Kevin Huizenga said. “I really enjoy them.”

Youth pastor Jake Koenes coordinates, plans and attends all of these parties.

“We have 5th Quarters to provide a safe, fun place for kids to party and hang out after the football games,” he said. “We have had over 400 students come to a single 5th Quarter, middle school and high school, and kids from every social group.”

The 5th Quarters, where there are no drugs or alcohol involved, are considered a safer alternative to parties held by students, but students who attend still have an “awesome” time.

“5th Quarters are important because media labels kids as rebels, lawbreakers, worthless and hopeless,” Pastor Jake said. “I believe differently and think that if given the chance, youth can contribute positively to our community.”

Some youth are involved in substance abuse, several suffer from depression, many feel alone, he said.

“I want 5th Quarter to be a place that people can put aside their differences and enjoy life,” Pastor Jake said.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 25, 2013

Sumnerbreaks records

Senior Cam Holmes sprints past an Aberdeen defender. Last Friday, the Lynx played Pierre and lost 16-0. Thursday, they faced Harrisburg with a chance to win the ESD title. Results were unavailable at press time.

Photo by Umaima Koch

Lynx aim for ESD title

Dance, cheer teams compete at state

Photo by Rachel Boy

Senior Caiti Murphy toe touches at the Lynx Invitational meet. The dance team placed second overall. The girls will compete at state Saturday.

Runners prepare for state meet

By Matt PearceSports Editor

While playing football at Brandon Valley, Austin Sumner, ’09, broke records on a con-sistent basis, which has continued in college.

His record-breaking habits started in Brandon Valley as a three-year starter under head coach Chad Garrow. In Garrow’s of-fense, Sumner set 14 school records and eight state passing records, the most note-worthy being 7,612 career passing yards and 88 total touchdowns. A two-time all-state player, Sumner was named the South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2009-2010 season, the top award given to a high school football player in the state.

As a senior, Sumner was one of 400 se-niors nationwide to be nominated for the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. While he wasn’t one of the 90 players selected to play in the game, this is a big honor as all of the nation’s top recruits played in the game. Notable people who played that year were Eric Reid, Sharrif Floyd, Matt Elam, and Marcus Lattimore, who were all drafted in this year’s NFL Draft.

After high school, Sumner committed to play football just an hour away in Brookings for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits under coach John Stiegelmeier.

As a freshman, Sumner redshirted and the following season, he started eight games throwing for 2,382 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also added three rushing touchdowns giv-ing him a total of 19 touchdowns. With his 2,382 passing yards, Sumner set the record for most passing yards by a freshman in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference. This performance earned him the Missouri Valley Football Conference Freshman of the Year Award, and he finished third in the en-tire FCS for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the best freshman.

Last year, Sumner started all games except the season opener due to a thumb injury, but he still played in this game. Although this thumb injury affected his passing the entire season, he still threw for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. At one point he completed 146 straight passing attempts without an intercep-tion. The season was a success for SDSU and Sumner as he led them farther in the play-offs than they had ever gone before, beating Eastern Illinois in the first round and losing to the eventual champion North Dakota State in the second round.

With 276 passing yards against Southern Illinois Oct. 5 on Hobo Day, Sumner became the career-passing leader for SDSU.

Entering the season, Sumner was eighth on this list needing just 1,199 yards to break the record. Considering Sumner’s first two sea-sons were the ninth and seventh best in terms of yards, it is no surprise Sumner broke this record.

While leading SDSU to a 4-4 record this season, Sumner has tallied 1,837 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.

According to one NFL draft website, Sumner is the 24th-ranked quarterback in the 2015 draft class.

Breaking records is second nature to Sumner and with another season-and-a-half left at SDSU, who knows what record will be next.

By Evelyn JorgensonA&E Editor

Both cross country teams will race seven athletes at the State AA meet at the Elks Golf Course in Rapid City Saturday.

Last Thursday was the last meet for many as they ran against Yankton, Harrisburg and Mitchell in Yankton.

“I have been running (cross country) for five years,” senior Carson Pruett said. “It will be bittersweet running my last meet.”

The girls team placed third with three middle school runners in the top 12. Eighth grader Haylee Waterfall was at the front of the Lynx pack placing sixth; seventh grader Danica Kocer, seventh; and eighth grader Mikaela Birath, 12th.

The boys placed first with four runners

among the top 12. Freshman Jakob Hanna placed second; sophomore Jacob Hegland, fourth; junior Mitch Selken, fifth; and junior Cody Dutson, eighth.

At the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet Oct. 12, the girls placed fourth with four runners in the top 20. Three runners were middle schoolers. Kocer led by placing sixth; Waterfall, seventh; Jaidon Birath, 17th; and Mikaela Birath, 20th.

The boys team placed second behind Brookings with four athletes in the top 20. Hegland led the boys by placing fourth; Hanna, 11th; Selken, 12th; and junior Matt Skadsen, 15th.

The ESD Award of Merit was presented to head coach Larry Beesley Oct. 11 during half-time of the football game

against Aberdeen. The award promotes sportsmanship and pride in the ESD.

“I was very touched by the award,” Beesley said, “especially being the first Brandon Valley recipient.”

Originally, Beesley said the teams were excited to run both the ESD and Metro Conference meets. However, the first-ever Metro Conference Meet, Oct. 3, was postponed due to the weather and later canceled.

Senior Ingrid Rief said the cold temperatures and the rain that day would have made for a miserable race.

“But, it was disappointing at the same time,” she said. “Since it’s my senior year, it meant one more race I’d never have the chance to run.”

By Caiti MurphyStaff Writer

After receiving grand champions at the Eastern South Dakota Conference Championship, both the dance and cheer teams will compete at the state meet Saturday.

“I was so happy with the results,” junior Sydney Blair said. “It really shows how our hard work paid off.”

At ESD, the dance team placed first in pom, kick and jazz. The girls were the grand champions.

The cheer team also received grand champions and placed first in their

division of stunting and tumbling.Last Monday the girls competed in the

Metro Conference. The cheer team tied for third with Lincoln. The girls had a score of

180 points. The dance team

placed second overall. The girls were two points behind Washington with a score of 266.33. The dancers placed first in kick with a score of 276.5; second in pom, 244.5; and second in jazz, 278.

“I think this season has been the best I’ve had while coaching,” dance coach Tracy

Kuhn said. “I love to see the girls’ hard work in practice pay off at a competition. Now, all we have to do is stay focused for state.”

By Matt PearceSports Editor

With a chance to win the Eastern South Dakota Conference title for an unprecedented fourth straight season, the third-ranked Lynx football team faced the Harrisburg Tigers Thursday night.

The Lynx could win a share of the ESD title if they beat the Tigers. In order to win the conference outright, the Lynx will need help from Aberdeen. The Golden Eagles will have to beat the Pierre Governors and the Lynx will need to beat Harrisburg.

Last Friday, the Lynx had a chance to lock up the title when they faced the Governors. However, Pierre won 16-0 dropping the Lynx to a 5-2 record.

“Obviously, it is disappointing to not be able to win the ESD title outright,” senior Erik Ode said, “but we can still share it with a win over Harrisburg.”

Against Pierre, the Lynx offense struggled to gain yards all night. A tough, hard-hitting Pierre defense limited the normally high-powered Lynx offense to only 44 yards on 36 offensive plays.

Head coach Chad Garrow told his team that the Governors were going to be the hardest hitting team that they had faced all season, and he was proven right.

Junior quarterback Jake Comeaux attempted 21 passes completing nine for 27 yards. He also threw for three interceptions. Senior wide receiver A.J. Garrow caught six passes for 18 yards and senior running back Cam Holmes ran the ball nine times for 24 yards.

“If we can run the ball,” Ode said, “it changes the game completely.”

“Pierre was better prepared coming into the game than we were and that is on us as players to be better mentally prepared,” A.J. Garrow said.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lynx gave up 318 total yards but held the Governors to only 16 points. Sophomore

middle linebacker Andrew Sorensen paced the defense with nine tackles and a forced fumble, senior outside linebacker Lucas Lunstra had seven, and Ode, a defensive tackle, had four.

“Our team has a great family relationship,” Garrow said “and I know we will move on from this game and get back to winning.”

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 25, 2013

Golfers capture second at state

Photo by Dylan Bludorn

At state, junior Riley Duncanson tees off on the 10th hole at the Brandon Golf Course. Riley finished tied for 10th.

Boys soccer 7th at state

Photo by Jacob Boomsma

During the state tournament playoff, senior Jordyn Henderson kicks to junior Tyler Limmer, who scored against the Bobcats. Lynx won 5-4.

Volleyball to face Aberdeen

Tennis team places seventh at state

Photo by Jacob Boomsma

During the Dig Pink game, senior Brooke Becker spikes the volleyball against Huron. The girls lost 3-0. Their next game is tonight against Aberdeen Central there.

Photo by Taylor Staab

Senior Erin Buse returns a serve against Mitchell in regular season action. THe girls won 7-2.

By Rachel BoyPhoto Editor

Girls volleyball team will compete against Eastern South Dakota Conference foe Aberdeen Central tonight.

“We will need to play hard and with a lot of energy to beat the Eagles,” coach Lindsey Smith said. “The girls need to be mentally prepared to go out there and leave it all on the court.”

Lady Lynx beat Yankton in three sets of five Tuesday. Senior Briana Grage had 11 kills and four aces.

The team lost Monday to Mitchell 3-0.

“The game didn’t go the way we pictured, but we will bounce back and be ready for districts,” senior Lexi Hoover said. “We always work well as a team, but if we can stay focused and play with intensity, the ball will start bouncing our way again.”

Grage had 28 digs. Freshman Elsie Zajicek had two solo blocks

and three block assists.Smith attributes the seniors to

the team’s success.“Lexi Hoover and Taylor

Murtha are the core rocks for this team and they touch the ball every play,” she said. “They make

By Emily HaederStaff Writer

With a score of 336 points, the girls tennis team placed seventh at the state tournament Oct. 12.

“I was very pleased with state,” head coach Jesse Gladis said. “All athletes played amazing tennis and left it all on the court.”

In singles sophomore Hanna Mutschelknaus placed fifth in Flight 3; junior Makenzie Marso, fifth in Flight 4; senior Leandra Marais, third in Flight 5; and junior Logan Hawkens, fifth in Flight 6. In doubles, Mutschelknaus and Marso placed third in Flight 2, and Marais and Konz, third in Flight 3.

In regular season, the girls were 17-4.

“Our main goal was to go out and have fun,” Gladis said. “If we did that, the sky was the limit for us.”

The Eastern South Dakota Conference champions were Mutchelknaus at Flight 3 singles; Marais, Flight 5 singles; and Marias and Hawkens, Flight 3 doubles.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better season,” Gladis said. “It seemed like when things were looking down, the ladies stepped up and showed me what they were made of. I was blessed this year to coach such a strong group of athletes.”

great choices on the court, and their knowledge of the game has helped us win.”

“Hopefully, we will show more determination out there,” Smith said, “and not be scared to go for that win.”

By Emily HaederStaff writer

Boys soccer team placed seventh at the State AA Tournament Oct. 18, and senior Jordyn Henderson received First Team All-State for AA boys.

Senior Cody Woessner and junior Tyler Limmer were named to the Second Team All-State for AA boys.

“We played hard and we played as a team,” junior Braydon Reindl said. “We had a good game against the team that had won state, and barely lost in a game with a team who took fifth place. Overall, it was a good few days.”

Qualifying for state for the first time in six years, the boys team beat Spearfish 3-2 for seventh play. Henderson scored two

goals and Limmer, one.“I’m happy with the way the season

went,” Reindl said. “We played as a team and played hard against every team we faced.”

Finishing up the season in double over time against Pierre, the girls soccer team lost by one point.

“I think we went into the game very confident,” junior Haley Hoeke said. “We showed Pierre a different side of us. It was by far the best game we have had.”

The girls ended their season with two wins, one tie and 11 losses.

“Some goals we had for the season were to score more goals,” Hoeke said, “and to be better overall than we were last year.”

By Dylan BludornSports Editor

For the first time in the State AA golf tournament, the boys golf team placed second with a score of 607.

“I think the kids played very well,” coach Scott Carroll said. “We got off to a great start, which is key.”

Finishing in the top 10 and receiving All-State honors, junior Greg Koehn, junior Riley Duncanson and senior Tanner Fjerestad.

“I feel like I hit the ball really well,” Koehn said. “I hit a lot of fairways and greens, but I also struggled with my putting on day

one.”Finishing tied for eighth, Koehn

shot a combined score of 151. Through 18 holes, he was two over with a score of 73.

“Overall, I feel like it was a successful tournament for me,” he said.

On day two the windy conditions affected play, causing Koehn to finish with a score of 78. He shot two over with a score of 38 on the front nine and five over on the back nine.

Tied for 10th, Duncanson and Fjerestad both shot a combined score of 152. Junior Alex Hamer tied for 16th with a score of 155. On day one Hamer shot a score

of 81. On day two he finished his tournament with a 74. Senior Ryan Sjoberg and freshman Zane Swenson shot a combined score of 172.

“After Alex shot 74 on Tuesday, I thought that we maybe had a chance,” Carroll said. “I was very proud of how the kids finished and held on to second place.”

At the first-ever Metro Conference Tournament Oct. 1, Duncanson was the medalist, and the team placed third.

“I feel very honored to be the first winner,” Duncanson said. “There are some very good players in the Metro Conference.”

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Oct. 25, 2013

SALSA sets up for Spooky Science Night

Did you know...?

FFAers to sell fruit

Blood drive donors help 222 individuals

n ACT test is Saturday.n October students of the month

are freshmen Caitlynn Runia, Ian Broekemeier; sophomores Riley Bennett, Emily Rief; juniors Dani Hoeke, Josh White; seniors Jade Roozenboom, Ellie Williams and Mateya Lunstra.

n ASVAB test is Tuesday at 8 a.m. n Augustana Band Festival is Nov.

15.n First wrestling practice is Nov.

18.n Football awards dinner is Nov. 19

at 6:30 p.m.n Content Area Meetings are Nov.

20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.n High School Parent Advisory

meeting is in the community room Nov. 21 at noon.

n The results for the It Can Wait texting campaign were freshmen, 226; sophomores, 376; juniors, 66; seniors, 365; and parents, 166.

SALSA members may set up and attend the Spooky Science Night at the Washington Pavilion tonight.

People may travel through the Spooky Science Time Machine and experience the different times in society including ancient civilizations, the Renaissance, the Space Age and the era of Sir Isaac Newton.

Saturday the members are also able to plant hundreds of trees around Sioux Falls to replace the ones lost during the ice storm in April.

November’s SALSA-wide events will be about the issue of hunger. The next meeting will be in the community room Nov. 12.

The advisors are instructors Allen Hogie and Taya Sazama.

FFAers are conducting their fruit sales as their fundraiser.

Members are selling gift baskets, varieties of apples, oranges, pineapple, beef sticks, popcorn, string cheese and peanuts.

Twenty-one students are also preparing for their fall leadership speaking contests. They will be competing in the first contest Nov. 19 at West Central. District placers will advance to state at Pierre in December.

FFA meeting is Nov. 6 at 7:30 a.m.

All-Staters to perform in concert

During the Fall Choir and Orchestra Concert, conductor Terry Gullickson directs the Concert Choir. Several brass players accompanied the choir during the final song, “Anthem of Peace.”

Marching Lynx presents Indoor Marching Concert

Junior Matt Jensen plays the alto saxophone during halftime at the football game against Aberdeen.

Photo by Umaima Koch

Seniors Annika Hindbjorgen and Evan Mallatt lead the cello section in the combined Fall Choir and Orchestra Concert. Hindbjorgen was one of three orchestra members who tried out for All-State.

Sittig directs fall play ‘A Christmas Carol’

Interpers set to compete

By Jacob BoomsmaPhoto Editor

Over 1,100 vocalists and instrumentalists will perform in the All-State Chorus and Orchestra Concert next Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Sioux Falls Arena.

Guest conductors are Joe Miller for chorus and David Barg for orchestra. Miller is the conductor for two of America’s most renowned choirs. Barg has worked with bands, choirs and orchestras of all levels across the country and internationally.

“I was very excited when I found out I made it into All-State,” senior Cassie Onnen said. “This year our school was only able to send four quartets, where normally we send five. Many good singers tried out this year.”

Senior Annika Hindbjorgen, who made All-State Chorus, also auditioned

for the All-State Orchestra. “I have spent all summer working

on many pieces of difficult music,” she said. “Simply playing them is a great success for me. It would be awesome to make it in, but I won’t feel crushed if I don’t because the work isn’t wasted. I am a better player knowing how to play the music.”

All-State Chorus members are seniors Coleton Ginger, Brady Zell, Kevin Gingles, Ellie Antrim Adam Presler, Hindbjorgen, Onnen, Ally Dykstra, Briana Grage; juniors Matthew Skadsen, Robert Berndt, Kevin Huizenga, Summer Rogers; sophomores Brad Gingles, Katie Wright, and freshman Lexi Hokenstad.

Sophomore Dawson Kremlacek made All-State Orchestra with bass.

Photos by Taylor Staab

By Molly HowardUpdate Editor

A Christmas Carol, directed by Melanie Sittig, will be performed Nov. 14-17 in the Performing Arts Center.

A Christmas Carol takes the audience on a journey through a day in the life of Ebenezer Scrooge (senior Jeffrey Lush). But, this is no ordinary day. It is Christmas Eve.

Scrooge lacks Christmas spirit as well as humanity. Three Christmas

ghosts, two of which are junior Kjerstin Williams and senior Paige Wright, take Scrooge on an adventure through time and place to help him realize the error of his ways before it’s too late.

“I am looking forward to being the lead role in my senior year,” said Lush, who has performed in six productions with his favorite being The Movie Game. “Also, Mrs. Sittig makes practice fun with some of the ideas we come up with.”

People who participated during the blood drive earlier this month donated 74 pints of blood.

The amount collected was enough to help 222 patients.

“It’s not as hard as people think it is,” said senior Kaycee Metzger, who donated for the second time.

Junior Lydia Eichelberg donated for the first time.

“I was nervous at first, but it surprisingly went well,” she said. “I’m really excited to donate again.”

Anatomy instructor Lisa Fuccello and her students organized the drive.

By Evelyn JorgensonA&E Editor

Oral interpers, coached by Gina Koehn, will compete at the Washington Tournament today and the Roosevelt Tournament Saturday.

Senior Bailey Quanbeck is confident in the upcoming performance.

“Our oral interp team is strong this year,” she said, “so I’m excited to see how well we place.”

Because of a conflicting band competition, few oral interpers competed in the Lincoln Stars and Stripes competition last Saturday.

At the competition, senior Annika Hindbjorgen placed first with her non-original oratory piece. Sophomore Emily Larson placed 14th out of 60 with her humorous piece.

By Taylor StaabUpdate Editor

Marching Lynx will complete its season with an Indoor Marching Concert Monday at 7:30 p.m.

In contrast to the field events, the musicians will be stationary on the stage while the color guard members are performing around the stage.

“I think it was a really good year for the band, when you consider all the factors with three new commanders, a new director and twice as many freshmen than seniors,” band director Jesse Miller said. “It’s a testament to the hard work, commitment and detail by every student in the band.”

From July to the end of the season, he said, the students focused on achieving goals in daily rehearsal and from week to week and they worked very hard to execute daily.

The final two competitions were in Orange City, Iowa, and Vermillion. At the Dutchman Field Show, the Marching Lynx placed third in their class and third overall.

In their final show at the University of South Dakota, the Marching Lynx scored the highest they had all season with a 94.8. The band placed first in Class 3A on the field. They also earned outstanding winds, outstanding drumline, outstanding colorguard and outstanding drum majors. The Marching Lynx won the Overall Grand Champion Award at the competition with the highest score of all 18 bands.

“I thought we did amazing this weekend and the entire season,” junior commander Matt Skadsen said about the USD competition and the season. “The drum majors are extremely proud of the band and how far we have come.”