First class to graduate from MAHS receives diplomas

May 24, 1962 – A south St. Paul attorney, Harold Levander, was selected to be the speaker for the 71st annual commencement exercises at Glenwood High School. A class of 115 seniors was about to graduate. The salutatory would be delivered by Myron Hedlin and the valedictory by Barbara Carlson. Dr. J.G. Gilman of the school board would present the diplomas.

Bud and Blanche Rooney, together with their son, Dick, and his wife, Beverly, purchased Jennie’s Apparel Shop in Glenwood. The Rooneys were longtime Glenwood residents. Blanche had been employed at Jennie’s for several years.

Members of the Glenwood Sportsmen’s Club were pictured in the Tribune with a portion of the ten tons of carp they had removed from the south outlet of Pelican Lake. Club members pictured were Larry Haeckel, Ray Kollodge, Dr. J.G. Gilman, Anton Peterson, King Bogie and Nobby Halvorson.

The Alexandria Cardinals edged the Glenwood Lakers for the district track championship through the Lakers would have five entries in region competition. Among those participating on Coach Cliff Hansen’s squad were Bill Malyon, Steve Kettells, Jim Gilman, LeRoy Rust, Bill Gilman, Punky Torguson, Jim Wheeler and Larry Hansen.

May 25, 1972 – The crowning of the new dairy princess was set to be held in Starbuck. Vying for the title were Bev Jensen, Gloria Hagestuen and Marilyn Elliot.

A sudden wind squall did heavy damage to docks and boats on the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska. The storm, which lasted only a few minutes, tore out dock sections and drove boats from their moorings as well as heavily eroding the lakeshore. The water level of the lake was the highest it had been in many years.

Spring field work in Pope County was said to be in the “worst shape I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” by Jack Morris, county agent. The combination of a very late spring, cool weather and frequent heavy rains had even veteran farmers calling it “one of the worst springs ever.” 1971 corn was yet to be picked and very little small grain had been seeded.

May 27, 1982 – Between 1,500 and 2,000 people attended a two-day heritage festival at the Terrace Mill. Highlights of the festival were a rosemaling competition and rosemaling classes.

A 22-year-old Lowry man was electrocuted when a grain elevator being moved to another location hit a power line on a Lowry area farm. Pope County Sheriff, Gerald Moe, commended the work of the Lowry First Responders. “They’re going to be a big help to us in the future,” he said.

May 25, 1992 – The first graduating class of Minnewaska Area High School were to receive their diplomas on May 31 at the commencement program in the school gym. There were 88 graduates in the class of 1992. The invocation and benediction were delivered by Rev. Carl Listug. Jan Plaude, the president of the senior class, welcomed the guests. Principal John Hornung introduced the student speakers, David Dziengel and Plaude. School superintendent, Dan Froemming, presented the graduating class while members of the Starbuck school board, Vicki Bosl and David Nichtern, presented the class their diplomas.

Starbuck Elementary School hosted its first annual music festival with a total of four schools participating. Nearly 200 fifth and sixth grade students from Glenwood/Lowry, Villard, Cyrus and Starbuck presented their vocal and instrumental talents.

The Glenwood school board appointed Roger Lyon to fill in the position vacated by Dave Tostenson. Lyon was sworn in at the June meeting to complete Tostenson’s term until June 1992.

Dr. Sanford “Sandy” Wilson and his wife, Jean, of Starbuck, along with Lee Paulson of Glenwood, were to be honored at the annual Heritage Ball, sponsored by the Ann Bickle Heritage House in June. Each year, the evening recognized the contributions of people who made a positive impact on their communities.

May 27, 2002 – A total of 141 seniors graduated from Minnewaska Area High School on Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m. in the high school gym. The program started with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by the MAHS concert band under the direction of Kip Johnson. The class speakers were Brock Sargent, Megan Volkmann, Jackie Stoen, Breanna Staples and Erin Gaffaney.

Glenwood got a clean financial bill of health from auditor Gary Groen as the city reviewed the audit from 2001. The city ended the year with balances in all funds down slightly from 2000 but still with healthy margins in the general fund.

The Pope County Board of Commissioners approved a redistricting plan that would mean elections in four of the five commissioner’s districts this fall. Everell Barsness in District 3, would be the only commissioner who wouldn’t have to run for reelection. The approved redistricting plan, which was drafted by Barsness, called for major changes to District 5, the seat currently held by Commissioner Robert McCrory.

May 28, 2012 – According to information released by the Minnesota Department of Education, both eligible schools in the district–Minnewaska Area Elementary and Minnewaska Middle School–were named as top performers in the state under Minnesota’s new accountability system. Schools that receive Title I funds were enrolled in the ranking system.

Twenty-six MAHS students graduated with honors. Receiving special cords to wear at graduation for the class of 2012 were: Alexis Banister, Dylan Buckingham, Joseph Buysse, Jessica Carey, Halle Christianson, Paige Entzi, Jessica Erlandson, Kirsten Evans, Nicole French, Jillian Hendrickson, Daniel Holtkamp, Ben Humbert, Riley Hurst, Alexander Ingersoll, Gena Jenniges, Blake Johnsrud, Haley Klimek, Britta Lundblad, Kaylyn Oberg, Andrew Ostrander, Brandi Otto, Nicole Peper, Justin Roggenkamp, Courtney Schmitt, Nateanna Schrankler and Brooke Winter.

Laker boys’ golfers qualifying for sections were pictured in the Tribune. They were Dylan Buckingham, Brett Buckingham, Esten Stensrud and Derek Burd.