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THE LOWDOWN
STUDIES & SPORTS www.presspubs.com
Student gives speech on 2nd Amendment Press Publications recently interviewed Ella May Wanschura, of Forest Lake, about her participation in the Speaking Proudly oratory competition, where girls from around the state spoke on the 2021 topic: “A More Perfect Union, Rising to the Challenge.”
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. A: I’m a freshman at Liberty Classical Academy, and I swim on Great Wolf swim team. I’ve been swimming for about five years. I have two sisters and live with my Mom, Dad and my dog, Reign (she’s a Belgian Malinois). I play the ukulele and have taught myself a couple of songs on the piano. I love reading books; some of my favorites are the “Hunger Games” series and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I love hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family.
Q: What made you decide to write a speech for Speaking Proudly? A: There were some volunteers from the organization that came to my school to talk about speaking proudly and what a wonderful experience it is. I have been doing public speaking since kindergarten because it is a part of our school’s curriculum. I enjoy speaking, and to be able to write a speech on a political topic sounded like something I would love to do.
DECEMBER 2021
SCHOOL BRIEF
Q: What was your speech about, and why did you choose that topic? A: There was a topic that we had to base our speeches on, which was “A More Perfect Union, Rising to the Challenge.” So I met with one of my teachers to help me get started, we sat down and went through the Constitution, and the one thing that stuck out to me was the 2nd Amendment and how gun control would affect our country. I thought that it was important people know how taking away American citizens’ guns would affect Americans and if we want to create a more perfect union, we must protect the rights of legal American gun owners and prosecute those who illegally carry a gun to the fullest extent of the law.
Q: What did you learn from the experience? A: I definitely learned more about public speaking and how to better my technique. I learned a lot about what the other girls thought was a way to create a better union. It was really interesting to read all of the judge’s thoughts on my speech, especially because these are very skilled and experienced speakers.
Q: Any plans for college and what are your interests? A: I love editing and filming videos, and taking pictures. My absolute
CONTRIBUTED
CONTRIBUTED
Ella May Wanschura
dream job would be working with babies in some capacity, but I have an interest in politics. My dream college is Liberty University in Virginia. They have a Division I swimming program and they are Christian-based.
Q: What are your goals for the future? A: I hope to make it through high school with straight A’s. I want to swim in college and go as far as I can in swimming. There is a scholarship at my school called the Lisa Treelevin Scholarship that I will be applying for, and it is one of my goals to win the scholarship. I am not decided if I will apply for the Speaking Proudly competition again, but it is definitely one of the things I am thinking about. Compiled by Noelle Olson
A custom river or lake table, one of the auction items designed and built by Pathways students at Stillwater Area High School.
Online fundraiser ponies up for kids The Partnership Plan’s second annual virtual fundraiser, Pony Up for Kids, raised nearly $63,000 for Stillwater Area Public Schools and included an online auction of 23 items. All auction items had a direct relationship with the school system. There were several custom items sold, designed and built by Stillwater High School Pathways program students. Donations and gifts were solicited via a competition between 26 peer-to-peer fundraising pages and by donation matches from 10 local businesses. Since 1989, the Partnership Plan has provided learning opportunities to every classroom in the district. Recent projects include teacher grants for all 37 new teachers to District 834 this past fall, Books for Reading Recovery During COVID-19, a multiyear mental health initiative, and the Pathways program. For more information, go to partnershipplan.org.
ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
*Athletes chosen by press staff
Katie Brandl
CJ Fredkove
Forest Lake Volleyball
Stillwater Soccer
Katie Brandl, 5-foot-10 sophomore setter, was the floor leader for the Forest Lake volleyball team that reached the state tournament and finished 21-12. Triggering the Rangers’ 5-1 offense, she had 931 assists, served at 92 percent with 22 aces, and logged 188 digs and 40 blocks. She served one string of 10 straight points in the sectionals. Brandl was in a 6-2 offense last year and is now the lone setter. “Katie is an excellent leader of our offense, who continues to improve each match,” coach Sherri Alm said. “It is so exciting to have her for two more seasons. She is a huge contributor to our success.”
CJ Fredkove was a key player in Stillwater’s drive to the state soccer championship. At state, the senior midfielder scored late in overtime to beat Lakeville North 1-0; tallied the tying goal and assisted on the go-ahead goal (by Marissa Bonilla) in a 3-2 upset of top-ranked Edina; and, in the finals, a 1-0 win over Centennial, assisted on Neil Smith’s goal. Fredkove totaled 12 goals and 11 assists for the Ponies (16-3-2) and handled most of the free kicks. “CJ is a tenacious defensive player, and can score and set up her teammates on the offensive end,” coach Mike Huber said. “She can strike a ball with power and distance.” In her three years as a starter, the Ponies were 45-7-4 with three section titles. She plans to play at St. Thomas.
Charlie Peterson Forest Lake Football
Stillwater Soccer
Charlie Peterson, a three-year starter at safety for the Forest Lake football team, had an excellent senior season with 58 tackles (40 solo), three pass breakups and one interception. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete also returned kicks and punts but was held from offense due to a shoulder injury; “One of the best safeties I have coached,” said Sam Ferrarro, who’s coached 19 seasons. “He is a fast and physical player with great instincts for the ball. Overall a great person of character and a great football player.” In his five-game junior season, he had 38 tackles (21 solo, three for losses) with four pass breakups, two interceptions, and one forced fumble and recovery.
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Dylan Magistad
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Dylan Magistad, senior central defender, was a spark on the Stillwater soccer team (15-3-2) that reached state for the third time in his four-year career. Magistad logged seven goals and eight assists. “He was often our best defensive and attacking player in the same game,” coach Jake Smothers said. “He scored important goals and contributed assists all season, while often defending our opponents best attacking player.” Magistad played on a state championship team as a freshman and helped the Ponies compile a 28-4-6 conference record and two titles in his career. “His leadership and passion led our team in its toughest moments,” Smothers said.
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