Osakis Graduates 11 Honor Students
May 07, 2008
OHS will graduate 11 honors seniors this year. As is our tradition, here are their future plans, some highlights of their high school careers, along with their favorite memories and advice for underclassmen. (They are featured in no particular order.)
Trevor Laine is the son of Rick and Marcia
Laine. He plans to attend NDSU where he will pursue a biology major
with an emphasis in field biology. While attending OHS, Trevor was
involved in football (grades 9-12) and baseball (grades 9 -12). He
won the following awards: baseball all conference (grade 11), MVP
(grade 11),1st place in St. John’s engineering competition, Honor
Student (grades 9-12).
Trevor’s best school memory is playing football at Lake Park
Audubon in playoffs. He believes the biggest challenge facing the
seniors upon graduation is facing a shrinking job market and
economic instability. He advises the underclassmen, “Don’t take
school too seriously.”
Kayla Marie Hinrichs is the daughter of Tim and
Pat Hinrichs. Her future plans entail a career in the medical
field. Kayla has an interest in becoming a midwife but plans to
work on her generals for the time being. As far as extra curricular
activities go, Kayla played volleyball up to 9th grade when she
then had knee surgery. Her junior year she again participated;
while she intended to play her senior year, another knee surgery
pushed those plans aside.
Kayla has been on the A and B Honor rolls since her 7th grade year.
When asked about her best high school memory, she responded, “The
thing I will remember most about high school is the hard times that
brought us all together and all the laughter we shared with each
other.” After being asked about the biggest challenge facing her
and her classmates after graduation she responded, “ Dealing with
losing touch with one another. We will all lose bonds we once had
as a class. We will have to find out who we truly are as we pave a
path on our own.”
Her advice to underclassmen: “Cherish every moment you have here
because it’s going to go by so fast. Don’t let things get to you,
just find out who you want to be and work on blazing a trail
through your future.”
This fall will find Brett James Tanselle, the son of
Nancy Tanselle, heading to MSUM to major in chemistry. After
receiving his degree, he will become a chemist. While in high
school, Brett was a member of the archery team and participated in
Knowledge Bowl and Science Olympiad. He received the following
awards: Honor Student, perfect attendance, 2nd Place State Archery
Team Contest, Sub-Regions for Knowledge Bowl, 1st Place Regions for
Science Olympiad, State Science Olympiad.
Brett commented, “I have had many good memories in high school. My
best memories took place in physics class. We always did something
exciting and had a lot of fun just hanging out. Regarding
challenges, I think the biggest challenge we will face after high
school will be trying to save money and not go out and blow it all
the first week of college. My advice to the underclassmen: You
might as well have fun while you are still in high school. Once you
leave, you will have less time to have fun with friends. Instead of
hanging out, you will have to worry about money and your career; so
my advice is to have fun and enjoy your time in high school.”
Sara Marie Peterson’s future plans include
attending Concordia University in St. Paul to possibly major in
business, accounting, or mathematics. She also hoped to be active
on campus with plenty of activities including choir and
theater.
While in high school, Sara has been active in band, choir, select
choir, swing choir, theater (Fall Play, One-Act play, Starry
Night), speech, Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, Project for Teens
and golf. She received the MIP award in golf her junior year. Sara
is on the Honor Roll and has received numerous Renaissance cards;
she is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars,
and was also awarded the Regent’s Scholarship at Concordia.
Sara explained her best high school memory this way: “I have too
many awesome memories to name just one, but I think that the
majority of them came from the lunch table that my friends and I
sit at. Lunch is the time of the day when all of us can just unwind
and take a breather from the day. We have had so many good times
there and sometimes we get quite loud to the point where everyone
seems to be looking. Overall I think every moment that I’ve spent
with my friends has made an everlasting memory.” She continued, “In
my opinion, the world is falling apart right in front of our eyes.
The biggest challenge that my classmates and I will face is when
many of us break through the small town bubble that has formed
around us. We will be faced with a hectic and corrupt world. In our
new surroundings we will have to be able to uphold our values, who
we have become, and what we have learned, while trying our hardest
to make a difference. My advice to underclassmen is to learn who
you are. Don’t listen to others if they tell you that you or what
you want to do isn’t cool. Don’t be someone that you aren’t and
don’t let others mold you into who they want you to be, because in
the end you shouldn’t care who the ‘coolest’ kid in your class told
you to be, but the person that you and God molded you into.” Sara
is the daughter of Tim and Joan Peterson.
Clinton Gregory Wiener plans on attending the
University Of North Dakota and earning a degree in chemical
engineering because, he stated, “I am interested in the development
of synthetics and new ideas and products.” Clinton has been in
wrestling every year since seventh grade and he joined football his
tenth grade year. He is also a member of FFA and Science Olympiad.
He was in choir until last year.
These are Clinton’s awards: Wrestling: 10th won Silver Streak
Award, 11th won Outstanding Wrestler Award at Melrose tournament,
State Participant award, won MVP and Phil Benedict takedown award,
12th won MVP and Phil Benedict takedown award; Science Olympiad:
won State ninth and tenth grade years; FFA: took second in team
orienteering competition
Clinton commented, “My best high school memory has to be the day
that Matt Garvin and I were finishing our chemistry final project
which was on gun powder and how it works and we had to leave school
because of a bomb threat. I think the biggest challenge facing my
classmates and I will be the change of doing things all on our own
and not having the teacher or parent looking over our shoulder
making sure we are doing it right. My advice to under classmen is
that the end comes quick, but school isn’t that bad. What else can
you do in life that allows you to hang out with your friends five
days a week and not have to worry about bills? School is the best
it will ever be. So enjoy it while you still have it.” Clinton is
the son of Alphonse and Anne Wiener.
Brittany Niehoff, daughter of Bruce and Ruth
Niehoff, is planning on attending Concordia College, Moorhead next
fall. While in high school she participated in volleyball, golf,
FCCLA, P4T, the spring play, and band. Another one of her favorite
activities was leading various retreats for underclassmen through
FCCLA. Brittany also received the following awards: Varsity
Volleyball Letter, Varsity Girls Golf Letter, All-state Academic in
volleyball, All-conference Honorable Mention in volleyball,
All-conference in golf, All-section in golf, gold at State in
FCCLA, First Alternate to Nationals in FCCLA, and a National
Callback in FCCLA.
Brittany’s best high school memory was winning the conference in
volleyball. The challenge she and her classmates will face after
graduation is, “... being on their own in a new place.” Her advice
to underclassman: “Enjoy it while it lasts and have some fun!”
Kirby Price is the son of Mindy Price. His future
plan is to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead to obtain a
degree in computer science. He chose this degree because, according
to Kirby, “I have always had an interest in computers, but sadly
never got to learn more about them beyond my 9th grade computer
usage class. My goal after college is develop various types of
software, from simple application to antivirus protection.”
Kirby’s extracurricular activities include basketball, drama, golf,
archery, FCCLA, Project for Teens, Knowledge Bowl, Science
Olympiad, jazz band, and select choir. The awards Kirby has earned
include: Basketball letter, drama letter, golf letter, 2nd &
3rd place in State archery, solo and ensemble - 1 superior, 2
excellents; Renaissance - silver card 9th grade; red card 10th,
11th, 12th grade; band - letter all grades; two-time FCCLA National
advancer; FCCLA first alternate to Nationals; FCCLA gold at State
in 9th and 10th; FCCLA bronze at State 11th; Science Olympiad 3rd
place in rocks and minerals; 3rd place in Fermi questions, and 6th
place in chemistry lab.
Kirby relates that his best high school memory is, “Finally getting
to enjoy all the privileges of being the senior: the use of the
little gym, the three days off at the end of the year, and most
importantly, budging in front of the lunch line to get lunch before
the underclassmen. The biggest challenge facing me and my
classmates after graduation ... with Osakis being a town where
everybody knows everybody, going on to college can be difficult. We
will have to depend on ourselves, meet new people, and for some of
us, live in a substantially bigger city or completely different
state, all while leaving the people we have known and loved all our
lives. Will it be hard? More than likely yes, but this graduating
class is full of intelligent people who will have no problem
adjusting to new surroundings. However, as long as we maintain
strong relationships with the people here in Osakis, we will always
have someone to help us through the hard times. Advice to
underclassmen? The true worth of your travels lies not in where you
come to be at the journey’s end, but in who you come to be along
the way.”
Ashley Debilzen is the daughter of Greg and Anita
Debilzen. She will be attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St.
Peter, Minnesota this fall. As of now, her intended major is
economics. She also plans on studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark
her junior year at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad.
While in high school, Ashley participated in FFA, Student Council,
Challenge Program, Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, band,
softball, wrestling manager, Project 4 Teens, choir, senior
committee, Science Day, Tri-College Math Competition, and drama.
Ashley’s awards include: FFA Student of the Year, "A" Honor Roll,
United States Achievement Academy National Agriculture Award, Who's
Who Among American High School Students, perfect attendance, Elks
Student of the Month (September), Minnesota State High School
League AAA (Arts Athletics and Academics) Award winner.
Ashley explained her best memory: “When a group of us walked into
Mr. Hunter's classroom last year and asked him where babies came
from.”
The biggest challenge facing the class? “Adapting to the world
outside of Osakis will be quite challenging. There is so much out
there that we do not know about. Every day this ever-changing world
will provide us with new obstacles and we will have to be strong
enough to overcome them.”
Her advice to under classmen is, “Don't do anything that your
grandma would frown upon. This should keep you all out of
trouble.”
Leif Nomeland, son of Steve and Brenda Nomeland,
explained his future plans: “I will be attending Augustana College
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There I will be majoring in
mathematics and minoring in computer science. I will also be
playing basketball there.”
He went on to describe his high school activities: “I played
basketball and baseball throughout high school. I was also in
concert choir, select choir, and competed in solo and ensemble. I
also participated in my church youth group at Elim Lutheran Church
in Osakis. I worked as a camp counselor at Camp Lebanon in Upsala,
Minnesota for three summers. I volunteered with my youth group to
work at Operation Christmas Child, where I packed shoe boxes filled
with gifts to be shipped overseas.”
Leif’s awards include: AAA award winner for OHS, AAA award winner
for Region 6A Sub-Section 22. Basketball: Two-time team MVP,
two-time Prairie Conference MVP, OHS all-time leading scorer, OHS
all-time leading rebounder, two-time All-state Honorable Mention,
MN Class A All-state First Team, MBBN Top 100 Player, Minnesota
Breakdown Fab 40, MBCA All-Star, two-time captain. Baseball:
All-conference selection, two-time captain. Concert Choir: Superior
ratings at large group contest, Superior ratings for solo, men’s
ensemble, chamber choir.
Leif’s favorite memory from high school is playing in the Boys’
Basketball State Tournament in 2006. Leif commented, “There will be
many challenges facing us once we all leave high school. As we go
on our respected paths, we won’t be able to rely on mom and dad for
direct encouragement after we’ve come home from a rough day. We’ll
also have to step up to the rigors of college classes or the work
schedules next year. Another challenge will be standing strong in
the morals and beliefs that we have been raised on through high
school. But I think that the biggest challenge we will be facing is
stepping into an unknown atmosphere where we have to carry more of
our own weight than what we are used to. To all the younger
students, don’t settle for the easy way out. Challenge yourself in
everything that you take on in life. Set a higher standard for
yourself than what everyone else is doing.”
Lili Nomeland, daughter of Steve and Brenda
Nomeland, will be attending Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota where she intends to major in nursing. She also plans
to tryout for the Augustana Choir.
While attending OHS, she played tennis throughout her whole high
school career and participated in choir where she competed in many
large group contests and solo/ensemble. She also participated
in student council, Science Olympiad, and Chamber Choir; she was
also part of the 2008 class committee. Lili took part in many
church-related activities at Elim Lutheran Church and First Baptist
in Long Prairie, including youth group, Operation Christmas Child,
church dinners, and Crossfire. She has been in dance for 13 years
and shares her talent with younger girls at St. Agnes, where she
teaches them after school. Lili received the following awards:
Tennis lettered six years, captain, Prairie Conference Champions (4
years), All-conference (2 years), 4th place at sub-sections and
advanced to sections, Academic All-state Tennis Team, took 1 and 2
in Prairie Conference Tournaments. Choir: President of the Senior
Choir, lettered (4 years), Superior rating in large group, Chamber
Choir, and solo and ensemble contests.
Science Olympiad: Took 1st and 6th in contests, team won 1st and
advanced to State. Academically: On A Honor Roll through out high
school career.
When asked her favorite memory, Lili replied, “I don’t have just
one memorable memory from high school, I have multiple! But I
will always remember the enjoyable basketball seasons, hysterical
lunch conversations, and many hours of laughter!” She continued, “I
believe the biggest challenge will be to step out of our comfort
zones and live out in the world where we won’t have those friendly
familiar faces and support from parents daily. It will take
time to adjust but I know we are all capable of making big
differences no matter what path we end up taking. You just
have to believe. There’s a quote from Helen Keller that I love that
I want to share with the younger classmen that says, ‘One can never
consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.’ You all
can do great things, but you can’t if you don’t push yourself to do
them. Get involved; you may discover a talent that you never
knew you had.”
Ashley J. Long, daughter of Michael and Barbara
Long, will be attending Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. She
explained, “I will earn a bachelor’s degree, majoring in math or
biology with a minor in Bible. I’m not quite sure what I’ll be
doing with my major and minor, but I do plan on studying abroad and
going on various mission trips throughout my college years and
lifetime.” Ashley’s extracurricular activities in high school
included Science Olympiad, Challenge (MN Math League, Continental
Math League), drama, softball, choir, select choir, archery club,
and youth group.
She received the following awards during high school: First and
sixth place in Sections for Science Olympiad, Renaissance red
cards, “A” Honor Roll, choir letter winner, triple trio superiors
at Subsections, triple trio Superior at State, drama letter winner,
Most Improved Player, All-Prairie Conference Honorable Mention.
Ashley related, “My most preeminent memory, I would have to say, is
the amount of uncontrollable laughter I had with all my friends. We
would laugh about the same thing for hours on end. We laughed at
the most random of things. At times, we even laughed for no reason.
By far, laughter is my best high school memory. I think the biggest
challenge my classmates and I face after graduation is not getting
‘sucked’ into worldly things. The devil has such a strong foothold
in our world today, and we need to stick up for what is pure and
right. Living in the light will be our toughest challenge, but with
the help of God, we can shine in the darkest of places.”
Ashley’s advice to underclassmen: “BECOME ATTACHED TO THE LORD,
FORM A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, AND SPREAD HIS WORD! He will
guide you through anything that life might throw at you, and there
is nothing more rewarding than being His child. In everything that
you do, do it for His glory.”
