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Student News

In Photos: Go Bears!

Congratulations Bears!

Graduates from the district’s Area Learning Center, Transition Education programs and White Bear Lake Area High School were recently honored during graduation ceremonies. Some of the graduation ceremonies were captured in a video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".  Members of the Class of 2024 also shared what being a White Bear grad means to them in this fun video. Congratulations Class of 2024, and Go Bears! 

Before walking across the stage to receive their diplomas, some members of the Class of 2024 visited their former elementary schools in their caps and gowns for the senior walkthrough event that happened across the district. Graduates connected with their former teachers while being congratulated by current elementary school students. The walk down memory lane activity was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". 

Our senior class were not the only Bears celebrated at the conclusion of this school year. Fifth graders across the district were honored by fellow classmates, staff and their families during ceremonies recognizing the completion of their elementary education as they now prepare to enter middle school this fall and the completion of their D.A.R.E. programs.

The district's 2023-24 retirees were sent off in style with a luncheon in their honor. The celebration honored employees for their combined 815 years of service to the district and community. Find a video recognizing this year's retirees here.

Working Together

Fourth and fifth graders at Otter Lake Elementary organized a Day of Service event before the school year ended which was captured in this video. Students signed up to work on different projects benefiting not only their school but local organizations. Some of the projects included repacking diapers for the White Bear Lake Area Food shelf, cleaning their school grounds, making cards for kids in the hospital and so much! Students also worked with local law enforecement from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and White Bear Lake Police department to spray paint driving safety messages in their parking lot. The Suburban Community Channels put together this video highlighting that activity.

The middle school girls’ flag football team took the field for their final home game at the WBLAHS - South Campus Stadium. The inaugural season of the Community Services and Recreation activity was a huge success as players sharpened their skills and play strategy. Find snippets of their game in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Flag football is also available for Middle School boys. Learn more about the large variety of opportunities available for Bears of all ages on the Community Services and Recreation webpage.

First and Second graders at Oneka Extended Day participated in a building design contest! Students worked independently or on teams to create unique designs to showcase to their peers. Meanwhile at Lincoln Elementary, staff showed students how much fun is it to make homemade ice cream! A perfect treat to enjoy on these warm summer days.

Sunrise Park Middle School students have once again found National History Day success in Washington, D.C. Team members Miles Lindgren, Harrison Ross and Parker Wolfe took home the Bronze Medal (3rd in the Nation!) for their "CLICK IT - BUCKLE UP AMERICA" project. Success also came to team members Samuel Hadley, Dylan Morse, Samuel Nowak, and Tyler Wickum, whose Brown v. Board of Education project was selected to represent the state at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Read the full press release about the showcase here. National History Day Adviser Huy Nguyen shared this interesting fact... the first ever National History Day entry from Sunrise Park (2002) was a Brown v. Board group performance, and the last ever National History Day entry from Sunrise Park (2024) is also a Brown v. Board topic. This fall, the Sunrise community will move to Mariner Middle School (former WBLAHS - South Campus). After renovations take place, Sunrise will house Early Childhood, District Offices, the Senior Center, and Transition Education Center.

Impressive Accomplishments

Members of the Boys' and Girls' Golf teams competed at the MSHSL State tournament last week. Senior Ivory Drusch placed 20th and Bailey Eddicus placed 68th. For the boys', Eighth grader Easton Fiddle finished in 31st place and junior Jack Stanius was 58th. Find highlights from the tournament in this White Bear Press article. 

Several members of the WBLAHS Boys' and Girls' Track and Field team qualified for the State tournament. Sprinter Caleb Anderson qualified in all three sprints (100, 200, 400) and at State he finished third in the 400 and ninth in the 200. Easton Miles placed ninth in long jump and Tomi Anamausan placed 14th, Vaughn Larson finished 15th in the 1600. For the girls' team, Karen Enow placed 17th in shot put and Keira Windesh placed ninth in discus. The White Bear Press highlighted the results from the State Track and Field meet in this article. 

Community Engagement

We are excited to be back at Marketfest in downtown White Bear Lake for six weeks of fun, which started on June 13. Find our orange tent and booth to say hello, pick up a pencil, a temporary tattoo and enjoy this Thursday evening summertime tradition with us again on June 20. On June 27, the district is sponsoring Marketfest (White Bear Lake Area Schools Spirit Night)! We will be filling 4th Street with district booths, activities and even pop-up employment fair opportunities. Please bring your friends and family, wear orange and join us at 6:30 p.m. for a scheduled “Orange Out” photo!

Thank you to all who attended the Community Services and Recreation's Bears Explore Outdoors event (even after it was moved indoors to the WBLAHS Field House due to weather). Community members enjoyed different activities and visiting with vendors, trying their hand at archery and entering into the bike giveaway! Over 70 bikes, big and small, were given away to Bears in attendance. 

 Activities Updates

Several members of the Boys and Girls Track and Field Team placed in the top 16 and top 8 at State. Find additional highlights here. Four Sunrise Park Middle School students were selected to have their project displayed at the Smithsonian during the National History Day competition. Bears Baseball players Roman Lachenmayer, Jackson Berg, and Blake Eckerle were named All-Conference and Owen Mortimer and Evan Newlander were named All-Conference Honorable Mention. Read additional details here. Bears Softball shortstop Heidi Barber was named to the Star-Tribune All-Metro first team. Additional highlights can be found here. Two members of the Boys Golf Team and two members of the Girls Golf Team participated in the State Tournament. Find highlights here.

Senior community members (age 65+) who live in the District are invited to participate in the Senior Activities Pass program and enjoy complimentary admission to most school activities. Find out how to receive your free pass here.

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7695) to submit Student News for inclusion in future publications. 

The Week in 62.4 Seconds

Enjoy seeing the last weeks of the 2023-24 school year, as highlighted in issues of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" videos. The videos, which highlight weekly district activities throughout the school year, will begin again this fall.

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