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HAPPY HALLOWEEN: See roundup of local, family-friendly events PAGE 30
Casting a light on high school bullying BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
JAY RENDALL | PHOTOS CONTRIB UTED
Owl rescued by local raptor expert A great horned owl was tangled in strings intended to keep geese off a homeowner’s dock on South Shore Boulevard last week. Neighbors alerted a DNR nongame wildlife expert, who promptly contacted local raptor expert Frank Taylor (above). Taylor and his wife, who live in White Bear Lake, reached the owl quickly. With borrowed waders and his leather gloves, Taylor removed the string from one of the owls legs. The owl was not injured and upon release, flew to a nearby tree. See next week’s Press for a story featuring Frank Taylor and his work with a group of local Scouts.
Sticks and stones may break one’s bones, but words and actions have the power to hurt just as much. October is Bullying Awareness Month, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness of bullying nationwide. Press Publications spoke to different high school student counselors and principals to discuss the short and long-term effects of bullying and what steps they and students can take to tackle the problem. According to White Bear Lake Area High School Counselor Grace White, both shortand long-term effects of bullying can affect a student’s sense of safety and self-worth. “The short-term effects on students can play out where they feel like they don’t belong in our school or among their peers,” said White. “This can cause adverse mental health issues and impact how they show up in classes and social circles.” The same effects are felt in the long-term as well: “Long-term bullying can negatively impact the way a student shows up at school and within the community, including their self-esteem and confidence.” According to the district’s school board policy 514, anyone who is a target of bullying must report the incident to an appropriate school district official. The complaint is to be documented or forwarded to an administrator. Within three days of this report, an investigation into the alleged incident is to be conducted, with SEE BULLYING AWARENESS MONTH, PAGE 12
Mahtomedi soccer celebration turns to heartbreak BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
A joyous evening on the soccer field turned into one of sorrow for the Muetzel family of Mahtomedi. Emily Muetzel, senior co-captain and defender, scored one of the goals as the Zephyrs defeated TotinoGrace 2-0 to earn a berth in the state tournament. Among the delighted fans were Emily’s father, Dave, the Zephyrs football coach, and her grandmother, Eileen
Muetzel. They ventured onto the field with other fans to join the celebration. Just after the trophy presentation and taking of team photos, Eileen, age 86, collapsed and died of cardiac arrest. “It was awfully tough on all the girls,” soccer coach Dave Wald said, grimly. “Emily was really close to her grandmother.” Dave Muetzel was back at his post the next evening for the Zephyrs regular-season football finale as they beat
Spring Lake Park 21-14. Muetzel said on Friday he was “still really struggling to talk about that night,” but he expressed gratitude for the many texts, calls and emails the family received, and to all who helped, including deputies, EMT’s and the fire department, for “all the compassion they showed.” In a tribute to his mother, Muetzel said: “My mom was the ultimate supporter of her children and grandchildren in all extra-curricular activities. In my 17 years as
head coach, she only missed a handful of our home games. She was a true Zephyr fan and was so proud of the girls soccer team that night.” Eileen Muetzel is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ray; four sons, two daughters and their spouses; 18 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. “She will have the best seat in the house for the remainder of the football season and the girls state soccer tournament,” said Dave Muetzel.
CONTRIBUTED
Eileen Muetzel, grandmother of Zephyrs soccer captain Emily Muetzel, and mother of Zephyrs football coach Dave Muetzel.
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