Former Clear Lake Graduate

Time has been the thief in this situation. In 1968 Mrs. Barb Schiefelbein was a graduating senior of the school she now teaches Physics at.

The years that have passed have witnessed many changes at the high school in Clear Lake. Schiefelbein said, “We had to wear dresses or skirts that were knee length so when we knelt down they would touch the ground.” That's right ladies, no comfy jeans! It's very obvious that everyone's schedules have changed dramatically over the years. “We weren't so busy with activities,” said Schiefelbein. Imagine the strong stench of alcohol on your papers that were freshly copied from the old spirit copier. “The most technological thing for us was a film strip projector. We didn't even have calculators,” Schiefelbein said. In the late '60s you could count on an action packed drive-in movie on those humid summer nights. Most high schoolers today wouldn't even think for a split second about not having a car to drive. Absorb that thought for just a moment. Now imagine not having a car until you're out of college! “I had a license, but I didn't have a car, so I didn't drive a lot,” said Schiefelbein.

Schiefelbein endured quite the change on her first day of high school. “When I went to country school there was only about eleven or twelve students in each grade, but when I was in high school my class had 64 students,” said Schiefelbein. She soon learned to value the opportunities Clear Lake High School offered for her. “I enjoyed being able to be with so many people my age, to have some lab equipment to be able to do things in science classes, and to have books. We didn't have much in country school so it seemed like a lot,” Schiefelbein said. With more resources for learning came better class instructors. “My science teacher made the biggest impact on me because he knew so many different things and he made things so interesting. They were things that I never had the opportunity to learn in my country school,” said Schiefelbein. The only disadvantage of Clear Lake High School compared to the country school was that the buildings weren't all connected. Schiefelbein said, “Walking outside to get to classes was the worst part of high school because sometimes it was cold and icy.”

Schiefelbein's love for music all started in high school. She said,“In the summer time we had summer band every week, so we would have concerts on the front lawn of the school, and people would park along the street to listen.” Schiefelbein played the baritone and often participated in solos. “I was always terribly nervous before concerts,” Schiefelbein said. She had a diverse taste in music. “I liked folk music, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, and Tijuana Brass,” said Schiefelbein.

Along with music, Schiefelbein was also involved in FHA and NHS. “I was a National Merit Scholar, the Elks Most Valuable Student, which was a scholarship, and I received the DAR award,” Schiefelbein said. Math and Chemistry were her favorite subjects. “I thought it was fun to figure out things and understand how they worked,” said Schiefelbein. However, Chemistry was the most difficult class for Schiefelbein. “I think I did the worst in Shop and Art though. I'm not very artistic at all,” said Schiefelbein.

“I knew I wanted to go to college for something to do with Science or Math,” Schiefelbein said. In college she started working for a degree in Pharmacy, but then decided that wasn't what she really wanted to do. “I always liked school, living in small towns, math, and science so I decided teaching would be a way I could do all of those things,” Schiefelbein said.

High School for a Track Star

“Now the race is on and here comes pride in the backstretch.” Sawyer Brown's track “The Race Is On” was, track star, Mrs. Amy Tvedt's favorite song of '93. During that year she was a graduating senior at Oakes High School, North Dakota. Currently, Tvedt is Deuel High School's Algebra I and Geometry teacher.

Pranks such as throwing fireworks in the burning of the letter were the least of your prank worries at Oakes. “My class put an outhouse on top of the entryway of the school for homecoming,” said Tvedt.

Tvedt, the tomboy, was a dedicated athlete. She even went as far as getting detention for her desire for sports. “I skipped out of class early for a drill team meeting, which I wasn't involved in so that I could go to basketball practice early,” said Tvedt. That dedication paid off in the long run though. “I was the two mile track state champion my junior and senior year. I was also the mile champion my senior year,” Tvedt said. She was a state track attendant from grade seven to grade twelve. However, she didn't run cross country until she received a scholarship for NDSU because the sport wasn't offered at her high school. With so much athletic talent it's no surprise that Tvedt was voted most athletic in her class. “When I was in the seventh grade I ran in the National Hershey's Track Meet, and the summer after my senior year I got to go to the Caribbean for a team USA trip to play basketball and run track,” Tvedt said. She was also able to go the State Girls Basketball Tournament her senior year. “In one game I scored two three-pointers in the last thirty seconds,” said Tvedt.

Her success didn't come without regretful moments. “I tripped during a warm up in basketball on my first varsity game. I pretty much just got up with a red face and hoped no one saw it. It always feels worse than it really is,” Tvedt said.

Other then Tvedts activeness in sports, she also did boys basketball stats, she was a member of NHS and student council, she participated in 4-H, she taught Sunday school, and she was on the yearbook committee.

“My parents were my role models. They taught me to always finish what you start and to do your best,” said Tvedt.

“I can remember playing school at home with my sister and her friends, but I didn't decide I wanted to be a teacher until my sophomore year of college,” Tvedt said. In high school Tvedt really only had one plan for her future. “I wanted to join the Air Force, but my dad kind of put an end to that,” said Tvedt.

The early '90s was the era of rolled jean cuffs, silk shirts, and spiral perms. Cruising was a typical trend as well. “I had a junker, '75 Capri Classic. Then I got an El Camino, but as a senior I drove a Le Baron.

There seems to be more differences than similarities when comparing high school in the '90s to high school now. “Students didn't have jobs or extra things to do after school. I only remember having a job in the summer,” said Tvedt. However, majority of the differences relate to technology, of course. Tvedt said, “I took keyboarding as a sophomore on an electric typewriter, and our teachers didn't have computers.” Oakes High School only had one computer lab in the early '90s. “We didn't get to use the lab very much. We didn't even use it to type papers. I used a typewriter to type a senior English paper,” said Tvedt. Students used calculators but typically not graphing calculators. Tvedt said, “I didn't get my first graphing calculator until I was a sophomore in college.” Other common technology uses were overhead projectors, film reel projectors, VHS tapes, and eight-tracks.

Artist in Residence

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

The Works of the Library

What do you know about the Deuel school librarian and the library? Mrs. Marla Johnson has been here at Deuel since 1966 as a library media specialist.

She does a variety of different activities with the children in elementary, activities such as puppet shows and story time, to even just letting the children know how to keep the library neat and orderly. “I like to do research, read books, and interact with people,” said Mrs. Johnson. The classes she does throughout the day run for 30 minutes for grades K-5. “All of the students enjoy reading magazines, new books, selecting the books, and learning skills for finding information in books.” said Johnson. Middle school and high school students have the option to come into the library and select books whenever they like. Middle school and elementary both are expected to read AR (accelerated reading) books, so she has books listed for AR in the library.

In general, Mrs. Johnson likes to help students find books that interest them, recommend books for teachers to use in the classroom, and answer any questions that students have. “An important thing to know when in the library is how to file cards or withdraw cards in the card catalog,” said Johnson. Without knowing how to correctly take care of the library it wouldn't look the way it does today and if you didn't know a lot about Mrs. Johnson you'd never know how influential she is to the students.

High School Text Books

Elementary Pumpkin Carving

On Thursday October 29, 2009 approximately 250 kids in grades k-5 will be carving pumpkins.

All the metal tables the school are set up in the gym.

Pumpkin carving has been an event for about 15 or 16 years.

Gary and Lynn Eide donate all the pumpkins to the school Mike Nieman stores the pumpkins on his trailer until the day they are to be carved.

Almost all of the parents or another relative will come to help carve the pumpkins. Everyone is responsible for bringing their own carving utensils.

Mr. Steffensen remembers the biggest pumpkin weighed about 40 to 50 lbs.

He also helps carve pumpkins if there is someone that does not have a partner. He has 15 National Honor Society kids and 15 middle school student council kids help.

It takes approximately 45 minutes to pumpkin carve. Some of the classes save the seeds to roast.

The preschool children also get a pumpkin but they paint them with their parents on another day.

Senior Buisness Projects

On September 1^st 2009 the seniors started a project in economics called big idea business projects. In these projects they seniors were to create a business idea and tell about the business and what is going to be offered at the business. Presentations will be october 28^th and 29^{th members} of community plus other people from the school will serve on a panel. Ms. Schwenn The people were like “mock venture capitalists”. When the judges are done there will be prizes given away in Aberdeen for the top projects. There will be cash prizes awarded to the top three places in the written competition. First place will receive $1,000; second place, $500; third place, $250. If the winning entry consists of a team, the prize money will be split equally among team members. College scholarships will also be awarded. The winner of the marketing design Competition will receive $500. All of the entrants in the project will be awarded a certificate of participation.

Print Making in Art

This week in High School intro to art classes, the students are print making. When print making, you first start with a linoleum tile, then find the pattern that you want to carve on the tile. When you are all done carving and making sure everything is in line, you are ready to start printing. To print all you do is roll a roller evenly in ink. After that, you would roll the roller evenly on the tile, then press the tile on a piece of paper. The intro to art classes have all grades of high school students in them. This class last only for the first semester. The second semester is either pottery, painting, or drawing. If you would like to see more of the art students work you can visit http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=1001.

What Do Preschoolers Use Promethean Boards for?

Not only does the High School and Middle School use promethean boards, but the elementary does too. Promethean boards are kind of like interactive white boards. You can consider them to be kind of like projectors, but you can write on them. "They are another great source of technology, especially for the kids." said Mrs. Heiberger. Do you ever wonder though, what the pre school children use them for?

Mrs. Heiberger uses the promethean board to teach Saxon math and Saxon phonics. "The Preschoolers especially enjoy the board as a learning center. They use the tool to roll dice and play educational board games that we make that go along with our themes, pattern and seriation games and drawing and writing fun." said Mrs. Heiberger. The promethean board is also used to link web pages, find games online, and retell stories and songs. "The web zoo cams are a great deal of fun to preschoolers." said Mrs. Heiberger. Zoo cams take them live into virtual zoos. The promethean board is great for kids in the technological world. "It is a new way to teach the skills that is more visual and hands on." said Heiberger.

Sodak Garden's

The Preschool class of Deuel school went on a tour of Sodak Gardens in Clear Lake.

They first toured the Greenhouse, followed by a tour to the gardens. They saw many things such as pear trees, also a pumpkin patch and vegetables. They learned how vegetables grow above and below the ground. The children picked a gord to take home also. They talked about the fertilizer they us for planting and how well it makes the seeds grow. They tasted fresh raspberries, grapes and broccoli.

The children learned about a very unique flower called the Moon Shadow that opens and blossoms only at night.

They finished by going into the greenhouse and having a tasting story.

The owners of Sodak Gardens made the tour very fun and educational and allowed the kids to touch,taste and explorer.

3rd Grade Field Trip

The Third grade classes from Deuel went to the AG Day program in the morning and the Watertown fire department in the afternoon on Tuesday October 6^th. They left at 8:15 and got back to the school at 2: 30. At AG day the students rotated through different stations, Topics included Beef cattle and goat facts, a booth about agronomy-plant-and seed information, a quiz bowl over AG topics, how to properly wash your hands. Then the went to a contest for the cleanest hand washing, and AG Jeopardy.

The students were given a lunch included BBQ chips, ice cream bars, and milk. They also received a gift bag of materials relating to the AG Day activities. They then went to the Watertown Fire Dept. The students each had the opportunity to be in the Smoke House which simulates being in your bedroom when a fire starts in your home. They also learned what to do in case of a fire and how to get out quickly and safely, and to have a safe meeting place for your family outside.

Printing in Art

This week in art the elementary and high school students are printing. Each grade is doing a different form of printing. The Art students do different types of printing every year.

Mrs. Miller has her art class do printing every year. “It's an important part of art, it's a standard art form,” Mrs. Miller said. The high school intro to art class is printing using linoleum block printing. The high school students drew themselves on the linoleum then chose which parts to cut out and which part to leave on. “First you shave chalk into the water then lay your paper in the water then take it out and let it dry,” Rachel White said. Then the students apply ink on there linoleum blocks and print them on the paper.

The first graders are working on their fall mono-printing, which means it makes one print. The students painted their sky then folded the paper over. Next they painted the grass and folded it over. Each time they paint something they have to fold. Their prints are of fall trees.

The second graders are leaf printing. When they make their leaf prints the second graders choose a rubber leaf, then they apply ink to the leaf and print it on the paper.

The third grade students are working on screen prints. The third graders are just getting started with their screen prints.

Styrofoam printing has the fourth graders busy. The kids use a block of styrofoam and carve out their print. They apply the ink and press on to the paper.

Picture of Michelle Pederson

Photo by: Alexis Quail

What's Going on in Ag I?

The Ag I students started welding at the beginning of fourth quarter. So far the students have learned safety precautions so that way they'll be prepared to take the safety test. Students are learning about how to run the Meg Welder, Arc Welder, and Oxiacetelyne Welder properly. Mr. Karels showed them how to properly run each welder. The students worked on units in a Welding chapter book and they use that to help them study. Then when the safety test comes they will be ready. The safety test is on Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th. After they get done taking the test and Mr. Karels agrees that they are ready to start welding then its safe to do so.

Senior Government Day

On Monday, March 30, 2009 all the seniors went to the courthouse for government day for a half of a school day. Mrs. Schwenn went with them and Deuebrook came too. They got to watch 4 or 5 court cases, then split into groups, and got to explore the courthouse. Alexia Kloos said, "the case that was the most interesting was the case with the man from Brandy who is 50 and got a DUI. He was backing into the officers car."

"I thought all of the court cases were interesting because I have never been to a court case before. It was so interesting to see," said Jackie Fieber. "I learned how the trials actually work when some one has court," said Kloos.

CDE in DeSmet

On Monday the 23rd all FFA members went to DeSmet for CDE. The FFA members competed in many different subjects. They were Agriculture Business Management, Agriculture Mechanics, Dairy Foods, Livestock, Natural Resources, Nursery Landscape, Agronomy, Horses, and Floriculture. Some of these require a test before competing. Dairy foods require a test first and after the test you judge dairy products and give them a score of one being bad through ten being good. Usually if it’s rated as a ten is considered a good product. Almost every group takes a test, but it depends.

Frankenstein novel/ blogs

Both of the senior english classes started reading Frankenstein on Monday. Mrs. Walder had them do a blog on what you know about Frankenstein. On Monday,they did a crossword puzzle about the book and the author. Mrs. Walder said, "There are study guides, projects, and at the end of the novel we will be watching the film and doing a comparison with the novel."

Walder also said, "This will help us in the future by reading comprehension will be useful in any career field that students choose. For example, if a student is going to be a mechanic, they will need to read manuals or magazines to learn about the new cars that are coming out. They will need to know how they operate and how to repair them also." Frankenstein is a novel that stretches students' imaginations to think about what could be in the world of science, biology, and medicine. Students also think about the power that humans may one day attain over birth and death. Walder said the seniors read a novel to expose students to another culture, learn literary devices used by the author and practice reading comprehension strategies.

DNA molecules

In Mrs. Schiefelbein’s 10th grade Biology class students made a model of DNA molecules out of paper. When everyone is done making them they will hook them together and place them somewhere around her room. When they are done making them they will twist it to make a double helix. The students learn that DNA is a molecule that makes up genes and determines the traits of all living things. These models are to explain to the students how DNA looks and to explain how it does its job.

March 4th CDE

On March 4th the FFA members went to CDE in Tri-Valley. CDE took place in the Tri-Valley high school. They had six different categories the students could judge. The categories are Farm Business Management, Horse Evaluation, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Livestock Evaluation, Natural Resources, and Floriculture. The FFA teamed place really well in Tri-Valley, Ag Business placed 2nd with Jared Schilling placed 1st individually, and Brian Niemann placed 7th individually in Dairy Cattle, Horse Evaluation placed 4th or 5th with Nicole Pederson place 6th individually and Michelle Pederson placing 11th individually.

Today in Senior Economics and English

Today in the Senior Economics and English Mr. Scheirnbeck, Mrs. Walder, and Mrs. Schwenn talked to us about improvements on our interviews that we gave on Monday and Tuesday. We talked about how to improve handshakes, how to sit, and clothing in an interview. Handshakes are supposed to be firm and short. Improvements on how to sit in an interview are by not slouching, if you’re a girl cross your ankles. Improvements on clothing are guys tuck in the shirts, wear dress pants not jeans, and girls less cleavage showing. Three awards were given out to three outstanding interviews which are Taylor Toben, Nathan Drake, and Ariane Santos.

Sophomore I Believe Speech

In sophomore English we did an ‘I Believe’ speech to state what we are passionate about. We performed the speeches on Monday the 16th, and Tuesday the 17th. People did their speeches on things like going to college, having a dance team, and banding smoking in public places. The students were told to talk about their speeches and tell why they believe in that topic. The speech was supposed to be three to four minutes long.

Tasha Gniffke did her speech on how everyone should go to college. Her reason for this was because college graduates earn 35% more income than high school diploma holders. She thinks that speeches are good to do, because they teach people about how to speak in front of a group of people.